2008-12-10 | permalink

Non-GE approaches to grow salt-tolerant plants

Growing crops in salt water is becoming necessary to overcome shortages of fresh water, say researchers writing in the journal Science. They suggest the domestication of wild plants that grow in salty conditions could help reduce global food shortages. [...] Genetic modification experiments have been conducted for more than 30 years to try to make crops such as wheat or rice salt tolerant. But the scientists say trying to induce salt tolerance has so far proved impossible. They now believe the genetic manipulations necessary to achieve this may too complex to be achieved at present.

• British Broadcasting Corporation, UK: Seawater holds key to future food