Regional frost: calibration of frost chamber to encompass all Australian conditions

Frost damage is a significant but unpredictable threat to spring wheat grown in Australia. Reducing frost risk by delaying planting reduces yield by up to 10% annually. Conventional approaches to breeding for increased resistance have yet to be successful. This project aims at using a genetic engineering approach to providing frost resistance via the introduction of novel genes to inhibit ice formation and/or ameliorate its effects on the wheat plant during flowering. Initial in vitro tests of transformed plants indicate a potential for improved frost tolerance which will be further evaluated by whole plant testing.