I went on a road trip recently off camping to the wild bar crater and we
camping to the wild bar crater and we
camping to the wild bar crater and we were driving along on the road and then
were driving along on the road and then
were driving along on the road and then suddenly saw on the side a little way
suddenly saw on the side a little way
suddenly saw on the side a little way off an old fort in Old Stone fort and so
off an old fort in Old Stone fort and so
off an old fort in Old Stone fort and so I thought uh let’s stop let’s go for a
I thought uh let’s stop let’s go for a
I thought uh let’s stop let’s go for a walk have a break in the trip and we
walk have a break in the trip and we
walk have a break in the trip and we walked up it was on a tongue of an old
walked up it was on a tongue of an old
walked up it was on a tongue of an old lava flow and there’s a picture of the
lava flow and there’s a picture of the
lava flow and there’s a picture of the fort’s at the top and some of my friends
fort’s at the top and some of my friends
fort’s at the top and some of my friends climbing up and then on the other side
climbing up and then on the other side
climbing up and then on the other side of the hill we saw a little village
of the hill we saw a little village
of the hill we saw a little village it’s amazing old mud huts village and
it’s amazing old mud huts village and
it’s amazing old mud huts village and stone huts and palm frond roof some of
stone huts and palm frond roof some of
stone huts and palm frond roof some of which was still intact some of which had
which was still intact some of which had
which was still intact some of which had fallen in already it look like could
fallen in already it look like could
fallen in already it look like could have been fairly recently abandoned and
have been fairly recently abandoned and
have been fairly recently abandoned and it was a sign of very spooky weird
it was a sign of very spooky weird
it was a sign of very spooky weird isolation and desolation why had this
isolation and desolation why had this
isolation and desolation why had this village been abandoned what had gone
village been abandoned what had gone
village been abandoned what had gone wrong and we looked around just to our
wrong and we looked around just to our
wrong and we looked around just to our right and there you could see the answer
right and there you could see the answer
right and there you could see the answer there was a palm grove completely dead
there was a palm grove completely dead
there was a palm grove completely dead the leaves still there in many of the
the leaves still there in many of the
the leaves still there in many of the plants some of them had their heads had
plants some of them had their heads had
plants some of them had their heads had fallen off and when you looked more
fallen off and when you looked more
fallen off and when you looked more closely you just see nothing you thought
closely you just see nothing you thought
closely you just see nothing you thought nothing alive you look very very
nothing alive you look very very
nothing alive you look very very carefully down on the ground there you
carefully down on the ground there you
carefully down on the ground there you go it’s a few plants left very very salt
go it’s a few plants left very very salt
go it’s a few plants left very very salt tolerant plants these palms had died
tolerant plants these palms had died
tolerant plants these palms had died because of the increasing salinity in
because of the increasing salinity in
because of the increasing salinity in the water that had been used for
the water that had been used for
the water that had been used for irrigating them and that had led to the
irrigating them and that had led to the
irrigating them and that had led to the failure of the palm grove had led to the
failure of the palm grove had led to the
failure of the palm grove had led to the abandonment of the village this is
abandonment of the village this is
abandonment of the village this is happening all over the place this is
happening all over the place this is
happening all over the place this is also on the way to world by Crater a
also on the way to world by Crater a
also on the way to world by Crater a little way away from that previous sign
little way away from that previous sign
little way away from that previous sign of desolation and devastation and here
of desolation and devastation and here
of desolation and devastation and here we’ve got a combine harvester in fact
we’ve got a combine harvester in fact
we’ve got a combine harvester in fact there were two of them sitting in the
there were two of them sitting in the
there were two of them sitting in the middle of nothing gravel dust not a sign
middle of nothing gravel dust not a sign
middle of nothing gravel dust not a sign of any agriculture in sight except those
of any agriculture in sight except those
of any agriculture in sight except those two
two
two rusting dead combine harvesters and you
rusting dead combine harvesters and you
rusting dead combine harvesters and you could see here this is a near near
could see here this is a near near
could see here this is a near near Jeddah a fueled site where we’re working
Jeddah a fueled site where we’re working
Jeddah a fueled site where we’re working in collaboration with King Abdulaziz
in collaboration with King Abdulaziz
in collaboration with King Abdulaziz University and the irrigation
University and the irrigation
University and the irrigation infrastructure is rusting look at the
infrastructure is rusting look at the
infrastructure is rusting look at the tree next to that irrigation tank its
tree next to that irrigation tank its
tree next to that irrigation tank its dead see the signs of death Sidon
dead see the signs of death Sidon
dead see the signs of death Sidon ization all over Saudi Arabia this is a
ization all over Saudi Arabia this is a
ization all over Saudi Arabia this is a global phenomenon
global phenomenon
global phenomenon groundwater is being depleted globally
groundwater is being depleted globally
groundwater is being depleted globally and this has been very well validated
and this has been very well validated
and this has been very well validated documented in particular by a team led
documented in particular by a team led
documented in particular by a team led by je familia T at NASA and they have
by je familia T at NASA and they have
by je familia T at NASA and they have documented very clearly that most of the
documented very clearly that most of the
documented very clearly that most of the major aquifers in the world are being
major aquifers in the world are being
major aquifers in the world are being depleted seawater is intruding in some
depleted seawater is intruding in some
depleted seawater is intruding in some of the world’s most fertile agricultural
of the world’s most fertile agricultural
of the world’s most fertile agricultural lands the river deltas of the Ganges
lands the river deltas of the Ganges
lands the river deltas of the Ganges Brahmaputra the River Delta of the
Brahmaputra the River Delta of the
Brahmaputra the River Delta of the Mekong in Vietnam very well-documented
Mekong in Vietnam very well-documented
Mekong in Vietnam very well-documented intrusion of seawater partly through
intrusion of seawater partly through
intrusion of seawater partly through global climate changed parties through
global climate changed parties through
global climate changed parties through the dam near the rivers partly through
the dam near the rivers partly through
the dam near the rivers partly through the erosion of the soil so where some
the erosion of the soil so where some
the erosion of the soil so where some rice crops could be grown for three
rice crops could be grown for three
rice crops could be grown for three years three times a year now sometimes
years three times a year now sometimes
years three times a year now sometimes it’s only twice a year sometimes only
it’s only twice a year sometimes only
it’s only twice a year sometimes only once a year and sometimes now it is
once a year and sometimes now it is
once a year and sometimes now it is becoming impossible to grow any rice in
becoming impossible to grow any rice in
becoming impossible to grow any rice in those incredibly fertile fields and
those incredibly fertile fields and
those incredibly fertile fields and they’ve been turned over to brine shrimp
they’ve been turned over to brine shrimp
they’ve been turned over to brine shrimp farms so what we need to realize I’m
farms so what we need to realize I’m
farms so what we need to realize I’m going to give you here now some facts
going to give you here now some facts
going to give you here now some facts not some alternative truths or
not some alternative truths or
not some alternative truths or alternative facts or any of these other
alternative facts or any of these other
alternative facts or any of these other things that seem bizarrely to be falling
things that seem bizarrely to be falling
things that seem bizarrely to be falling from the sky on their heads I give you
from the sky on their heads I give you
from the sky on their heads I give you some real effects and one of the real
some real effects and one of the real
some real effects and one of the real facts is that about one third of our
facts is that about one third of our
facts is that about one third of our food is grown under irrigation so the
food is grown under irrigation so the
food is grown under irrigation so the equivalent of their lunch we’ve just had
equivalent of their lunch we’ve just had
equivalent of their lunch we’ve just had each day that we eat comes from land
each day that we eat comes from land
each day that we eat comes from land that has been irrigated and about
that has been irrigated and about
that has been irrigated and about two-thirds of all water used on the
two-thirds of all water used on the
two-thirds of all water used on the planet by humans
planet by humans
planet by humans is for irrigating crops so agriculture
is for irrigating crops so agriculture
is for irrigating crops so agriculture irrigation is very important for
irrigation is very important for
irrigation is very important for agriculture food production and the
agriculture food production and the
agriculture food production and the biggest by far the biggest single use of
biggest by far the biggest single use of
biggest by far the biggest single use of the world’s fresh water is for growing
the world’s fresh water is for growing
the world’s fresh water is for growing that food that we’re eating but as you
that food that we’re eating but as you
that food that we’re eating but as you saw from the depletion of the aquifers
saw from the depletion of the aquifers
saw from the depletion of the aquifers much of this use of water is not
much of this use of water is not
much of this use of water is not sustainable aquifers are depleting wells
sustainable aquifers are depleting wells
sustainable aquifers are depleting wells are drying sea water is rising rivers
are drying sea water is rising rivers
are drying sea water is rising rivers are retreating the World Economic Forum
are retreating the World Economic Forum
are retreating the World Economic Forum has for the past six years in their
has for the past six years in their
has for the past six years in their analyses these are the real you know
analyses these are the real you know
analyses these are the real you know these are the real smart people here the
these are the real smart people here the
these are the real smart people here the World Economic Forum for the past six
World Economic Forum for the past six
World Economic Forum for the past six years has listed in the top three of the
years has listed in the top three of the
years has listed in the top three of the greatest risks to world economic
greatest risks to world economic
greatest risks to world economic security they have listed water crises
security they have listed water crises
security they have listed water crises this is a major global problem but
this is a major global problem but
this is a major global problem but everybody tells us we need more food the
everybody tells us we need more food the
everybody tells us we need more food the FAO says we have to increase cereal
FAO says we have to increase cereal
FAO says we have to increase cereal production by over 50% by 2050 if we’re
production by over 50% by 2050 if we’re
production by over 50% by 2050 if we’re going to meet the growing population and
going to meet the growing population and
going to meet the growing population and the growing demands of the population
the growing demands of the population
the growing demands of the population that we have on this planet we need 1
that we have on this planet we need 1
that we have on this planet we need 1 billion tons more cereal that’s an
billion tons more cereal that’s an
billion tons more cereal that’s an increase from 2 billion tonnes to 3
increase from 2 billion tonnes to 3
increase from 2 billion tonnes to 3 billion tonnes by 2050 that’s not that
billion tonnes by 2050 that’s not that
billion tonnes by 2050 that’s not that long away so we have this massive need
long away so we have this massive need
long away so we have this massive need to increase world food supply and to do
to increase world food supply and to do
to increase world food supply and to do this assist and to do this sustainably
this assist and to do this sustainably
this assist and to do this sustainably and we need to do this by increasing
and we need to do this by increasing
and we need to do this by increasing productivity per hectare and we have to
productivity per hectare and we have to
productivity per hectare and we have to do this even faster than we have been
do this even faster than we have been
do this even faster than we have been doing over the past 50 years we have to
doing over the past 50 years we have to
doing over the past 50 years we have to increase food production faster and
increase food production faster and
increase food production faster and sustainably and we have to do this in
sustainably and we have to do this in
sustainably and we have to do this in the face of a global large and
the face of a global large and
the face of a global large and accelerating global environmental change
accelerating global environmental change
accelerating global environmental change and we have to do this despite these
and we have to do this despite these
and we have to do this despite these significant threats to water supplies
significant threats to water supplies
significant threats to water supplies that we can see with our eyes and that
that we can see with our eyes and that
that we can see with our eyes and that we can document from the NASA satellites
we can document from the NASA satellites
we can document from the NASA satellites so
so
so we need innovation we need serious
we need innovation we need serious
we need innovation we need serious innovation and that’s the core business
innovation and that’s the core business
innovation and that’s the core business of universities so let’s get down and do
of universities so let’s get down and do
of universities so let’s get down and do some innovating now I say we’ve got a
some innovating now I say we’ve got a
some innovating now I say we’ve got a major water problem on the planet thus a
major water problem on the planet thus a
major water problem on the planet thus a major challenge to agriculture but you
major challenge to agriculture but you
major challenge to agriculture but you look around there’s water everywhere for
look around there’s water everywhere for
look around there’s water everywhere for every drop of fresh water we have on the
every drop of fresh water we have on the
every drop of fresh water we have on the land and in the land we’ve got another
land and in the land we’ve got another
land and in the land we’ve got another drop of water that’s called brackish
drop of water that’s called brackish
drop of water that’s called brackish water it’s not a saltier seawater but
water it’s not a saltier seawater but
water it’s not a saltier seawater but it’s a bit too salty for us to be able
it’s a bit too salty for us to be able
it’s a bit too salty for us to be able to easily use for human consumption or
to easily use for human consumption or
to easily use for human consumption or for plant production that’s called
for plant production that’s called
for plant production that’s called brackish water and into every drop of
brackish water and into every drop of
brackish water and into every drop of fresh and brackish water we have
fresh and brackish water we have
fresh and brackish water we have available on the land there’s another
available on the land there’s another
available on the land there’s another drop which is frozen so I guess we could
drop which is frozen so I guess we could
drop which is frozen so I guess we could keep burning the oil and the coal and
keep burning the oil and the coal and
keep burning the oil and the coal and that might be melt some of that frozen
that might be melt some of that frozen
that might be melt some of that frozen water but I don’t think we should go
water but I don’t think we should go
water but I don’t think we should go there let’s focus instead on this
there let’s focus instead on this
there let’s focus instead on this brackish water and of course most of the
brackish water and of course most of the
brackish water and of course most of the world’s water by far is in the sea and
world’s water by far is in the sea and
world’s water by far is in the sea and what I’m suggesting as an innovative
what I’m suggesting as an innovative
what I’m suggesting as an innovative contribution talking about a solution
contribution talking about a solution
contribution talking about a solution but an innovative contribution to try to
but an innovative contribution to try to
but an innovative contribution to try to address this global food security crisis
address this global food security crisis
address this global food security crisis that we are facing is to try to unlock
that we are facing is to try to unlock
that we are facing is to try to unlock this brackish water and lock the
this brackish water and lock the
this brackish water and lock the seawater to try to help feed the world
seawater to try to help feed the world
seawater to try to help feed the world and we try to do this by growing plants
and we try to do this by growing plants
and we try to do this by growing plants that are salt tolerant and irrigate them
that are salt tolerant and irrigate them
that are salt tolerant and irrigate them with brackish water or sea water that’s
with brackish water or sea water that’s
with brackish water or sea water that’s been at least partially desalinated so
been at least partially desalinated so
been at least partially desalinated so what is the key to this how can we do
what is the key to this how can we do
what is the key to this how can we do this obviously we need to have if we’re
this obviously we need to have if we’re
this obviously we need to have if we’re going to use party desolder and I see
going to use party desolder and I see
going to use party desolder and I see what we need engineering innovations in
what we need engineering innovations in
what we need engineering innovations in fact there are many research groups
fact there are many research groups
fact there are many research groups around the world who are trying to do
around the world who are trying to do
around the world who are trying to do this and that’s great in this talk today
this and that’s great in this talk today
this and that’s great in this talk today I’m going to focus on what I tend to
I’m going to focus on what I tend to
I’m going to focus on what I tend to work on the plants and what I want to do
work on the plants and what I want to do
work on the plants and what I want to do is try to see how we might be able to
is try to see how we might be able to
is try to see how we might be able to increase the salinity torrents of the
increase the salinity torrents of the
increase the salinity torrents of the plants so then we can start irrigating
plants so then we can start irrigating
plants so then we can start irrigating them with water
them with water
them with water that we can’t currently use for
that we can’t currently use for
that we can’t currently use for irrigation and the key for this is what
irrigation and the key for this is what
irrigation and the key for this is what I call the new genetics we can now
I call the new genetics we can now
I call the new genetics we can now sequence genomes very very rapidly and
sequence genomes very very rapidly and
sequence genomes very very rapidly and there’s a whole field called genomics we
there’s a whole field called genomics we
there’s a whole field called genomics we were able to study by sequence and study
were able to study by sequence and study
were able to study by sequence and study the genomes of organisms and this
the genomes of organisms and this
the genomes of organisms and this genomics is turbocharging genetics just
genomics is turbocharging genetics just
genomics is turbocharging genetics just as medicine is facing a revolution which
as medicine is facing a revolution which
as medicine is facing a revolution which is powered by this new genetics by
is powered by this new genetics by
is powered by this new genetics by genomics so too is agriculture and this
genomics so too is agriculture and this
genomics so too is agriculture and this provides us with huge opportunities for
provides us with huge opportunities for
provides us with huge opportunities for innovation for the serious innovation
innovation for the serious innovation
innovation for the serious innovation that we need let me explain in a bit
that we need let me explain in a bit
that we need let me explain in a bit more detail how do we do this the first
more detail how do we do this the first
more detail how do we do this the first thing we need to appreciate is that
thing we need to appreciate is that
thing we need to appreciate is that plants are highly variable don’t go to
plants are highly variable don’t go to
plants are highly variable don’t go to the supermarket where you have that
the supermarket where you have that
the supermarket where you have that monochrome and not only of uniform
monochrome and not only of uniform
monochrome and not only of uniform vegetables and fruit staring up at you
vegetables and fruit staring up at you
vegetables and fruit staring up at you go to your local fruit shop we’ve got a
go to your local fruit shop we’ve got a
go to your local fruit shop we’ve got a fruit shop in the mosque it has all
fruit shop in the mosque it has all
fruit shop in the mosque it has all sorts of different plants they’re for
sorts of different plants they’re for
sorts of different plants they’re for sale you go and look at the mangos and
sale you go and look at the mangos and
sale you go and look at the mangos and that picture on the left
that picture on the left
that picture on the left amazing variety of mangos they’re
amazing variety of mangos they’re
amazing variety of mangos they’re beautiful go to a market other
beautiful go to a market other
beautiful go to a market other photograph taken a market in South
photograph taken a market in South
photograph taken a market in South America varieties of potatoes are
America varieties of potatoes are
America varieties of potatoes are stunning so plants are variable and this
stunning so plants are variable and this
stunning so plants are variable and this is important these are naturally
is important these are naturally
is important these are naturally occurring variations that can give us
occurring variations that can give us
occurring variations that can give us the raw material for a new revolution in
the raw material for a new revolution in
the raw material for a new revolution in crop production the other thing we need
crop production the other thing we need
crop production the other thing we need to appreciate is that plants are tough
to appreciate is that plants are tough
to appreciate is that plants are tough plants can be really tough there’s a
plants can be really tough there’s a
plants can be really tough there’s a photograph taken out on the mountain
photograph taken out on the mountain
photograph taken out on the mountain biking trips on the left hand side a
biking trips on the left hand side a
biking trips on the left hand side a plant in the middle of a hot dry dusty
plant in the middle of a hot dry dusty
plant in the middle of a hot dry dusty plane and it’s sitting there flowering
plane and it’s sitting there flowering
plane and it’s sitting there flowering beautiful amazing and there’s another
beautiful amazing and there’s another
beautiful amazing and there’s another picture taken from southern Saudi Arabia
picture taken from southern Saudi Arabia
picture taken from southern Saudi Arabia in the mountains the Rocky Mountains
in the mountains the Rocky Mountains
in the mountains the Rocky Mountains there and there’s plants there
there and there’s plants there
there and there’s plants there Desert Rose sitting in a crack in the
Desert Rose sitting in a crack in the
Desert Rose sitting in a crack in the rocks astonishing so plants can be
rocks astonishing so plants can be
rocks astonishing so plants can be really tough however these are extreme
really tough however these are extreme
really tough however these are extreme examples of extreme adaptations to
examples of extreme adaptations to
examples of extreme adaptations to extreme environments
extreme environments
extreme environments certain really relevant to crop
certain really relevant to crop
certain really relevant to crop production don’t know maybe maybe not we
production don’t know maybe maybe not we
production don’t know maybe maybe not we can see plants that are even growing in
can see plants that are even growing in
can see plants that are even growing in the sea but that’s an extreme plant
the sea but that’s an extreme plant
the sea but that’s an extreme plant sitting there probably a very limited
sitting there probably a very limited
sitting there probably a very limited utility for humans
utility for humans
utility for humans what about crop plants well some of the
what about crop plants well some of the
what about crop plants well some of the relatives some of the close relatives of
relatives some of the close relatives of
relatives some of the close relatives of crops can also be remarkably tough and
crops can also be remarkably tough and
crops can also be remarkably tough and this is where we can start to get pretty
this is where we can start to get pretty
this is where we can start to get pretty interested and start doing some serious
interested and start doing some serious
interested and start doing some serious research here are photographs taken in
research here are photographs taken in
research here are photographs taken in the Galapagos Islands have a very close
the Galapagos Islands have a very close
the Galapagos Islands have a very close relative of the tomatoes we eat which
relative of the tomatoes we eat which
relative of the tomatoes we eat which are growing in rocks being splashed by
are growing in rocks being splashed by
are growing in rocks being splashed by the sea how do those plants do it what
the sea how do those plants do it what
the sea how do those plants do it what genes are in those plants which are
genes are in those plants which are
genes are in those plants which are missing from our domesticated Tomatoes
missing from our domesticated Tomatoes
missing from our domesticated Tomatoes can we learn how those plants do it and
can we learn how those plants do it and
can we learn how those plants do it and then using the processes of sexual
then using the processes of sexual
then using the processes of sexual reproduction cross integrase in those
reproduction cross integrase in those
reproduction cross integrase in those toughness genes into our domesticated
toughness genes into our domesticated
toughness genes into our domesticated Tomatoes we can return also to the
Tomatoes we can return also to the
Tomatoes we can return also to the cradle of civilization in this region
cradle of civilization in this region
cradle of civilization in this region where some of our major world crops
where some of our major world crops
where some of our major world crops originated such as wheat and barley and
originated such as wheat and barley and
originated such as wheat and barley and there are collaborators in Germany who
there are collaborators in Germany who
there are collaborators in Germany who collected about 25 different accessions
collected about 25 different accessions
collected about 25 different accessions of wild barley so not bad you can grow
of wild barley so not bad you can grow
of wild barley so not bad you can grow and get a get a crop from but the very
and get a get a crop from but the very
and get a get a crop from but the very close relatives growing on the roadsides
close relatives growing on the roadsides
close relatives growing on the roadsides around in the Fertile Crescent and in
around in the Fertile Crescent and in
around in the Fertile Crescent and in fact managed to collect 25 samples which
fact managed to collect 25 samples which
fact managed to collect 25 samples which really spans the breadth of the variety
really spans the breadth of the variety
really spans the breadth of the variety the diversity of these wild valleys in
the diversity of these wild valleys in
the diversity of these wild valleys in fact many thousands of samples were
fact many thousands of samples were
fact many thousands of samples were collected and from those 25 was selected
collected and from those 25 was selected
collected and from those 25 was selected and then they were crossed into
and then they were crossed into
and then they were crossed into domesticated barley and they crossed
domesticated barley and they crossed
domesticated barley and they crossed them and then they back crossed them so
them and then they back crossed them so
them and then they back crossed them so we ended up they ended up generating an
we ended up they ended up generating an
we ended up they ended up generating an amazing resource which is about one
amazing resource which is about one
amazing resource which is about one thousand four hundred lines of barley
thousand four hundred lines of barley
thousand four hundred lines of barley each of which were three-quarters
each of which were three-quarters
each of which were three-quarters domesticated so then they would behave
domesticated so then they would behave
domesticated so then they would behave themselves when you grow them in a field
themselves when you grow them in a field
themselves when you grow them in a field and produce some crops but they were
and produce some crops but they were
and produce some crops but they were one-quarter wild and so the idea was to
one-quarter wild and so the idea was to
one-quarter wild and so the idea was to see if by chance
see if by chance
see if by chance from those one-quarter wildness that we
from those one-quarter wildness that we
from those one-quarter wildness that we to those plants we will be able to
to those plants we will be able to
to those plants we will be able to discover genes that made the plants
discover genes that made the plants
discover genes that made the plants tough and so we could do a genetics
tough and so we could do a genetics
tough and so we could do a genetics experiment in the field this is a
experiment in the field this is a
experiment in the field this is a picture of a PhD student from our
picture of a PhD student from our
picture of a PhD student from our laboratory here at Cal Stephanie sada
laboratory here at Cal Stephanie sada
laboratory here at Cal Stephanie sada and that’s the field grown in Dubai
and that’s the field grown in Dubai
and that’s the field grown in Dubai collaborators there at the International
collaborators there at the International
collaborators there at the International Center for bio seven agriculture it’s
Center for bio seven agriculture it’s
Center for bio seven agriculture it’s 1,400 different lines about half a
1,400 different lines about half a
1,400 different lines about half a million plants they’re been grown under
million plants they’re been grown under
million plants they’re been grown under low salinity and high salinity and we
low salinity and high salinity and we
low salinity and high salinity and we were able to measure all sorts of traits
were able to measure all sorts of traits
were able to measure all sorts of traits in those plants and then we found one
in those plants and then we found one
in those plants and then we found one line one gene from a plant that was
line one gene from a plant that was
line one gene from a plant that was collected in northwest Iraq which in the
collected in northwest Iraq which in the
collected in northwest Iraq which in the conditions in the Middle East gave a 20%
conditions in the Middle East gave a 20%
conditions in the Middle East gave a 20% increase in yield and when you were
increase in yield and when you were
increase in yield and when you were irrigating those plants in those same
irrigating those plants in those same
irrigating those plants in those same conditions but with saline water and
conditions but with saline water and
conditions but with saline water and this was one third seawater that had
this was one third seawater that had
this was one third seawater that had been irrigated with we got a 30%
been irrigated with we got a 30%
been irrigated with we got a 30% increase in yield so there was this one
increase in yield so there was this one
increase in yield so there was this one gene in from one plant that was giving
gene in from one plant that was giving
gene in from one plant that was giving you both increase that that adaptation
you both increase that that adaptation
you both increase that that adaptation of the plants to the Middle East but
of the plants to the Middle East but
of the plants to the Middle East but then also specifically increase in
then also specifically increase in
then also specifically increase in salinity tolerance incredibly exciting
salinity tolerance incredibly exciting
salinity tolerance incredibly exciting result and these vines are now being
result and these vines are now being
result and these vines are now being crossed into more commercial bodies both
crossed into more commercial bodies both
crossed into more commercial bodies both to validate this and started the liver
to validate this and started the liver
to validate this and started the liver but discovery into commercial breeding
but discovery into commercial breeding
but discovery into commercial breeding programs this is an older example from
programs this is an older example from
programs this is an older example from work done in Australia before I came
work done in Australia before I came
work done in Australia before I came here to cast we’re a collaborator in
here to cast we’re a collaborator in
here to cast we’re a collaborator in CSIRO walked into my laboratory and I
CSIRO walked into my laboratory and I
CSIRO walked into my laboratory and I was actually in Cambridge at the time
was actually in Cambridge at the time
was actually in Cambridge at the time with three bags of seed bag of seed with
with three bags of seed bag of seed with
with three bags of seed bag of seed with plants of assault sensitive this is
plants of assault sensitive this is
plants of assault sensitive this is normal pasture wheat and then two bags
normal pasture wheat and then two bags
normal pasture wheat and then two bags of seed where the plants were unusually
of seed where the plants were unusually
of seed where the plants were unusually salt tolerant what genes were in the
salt tolerant what genes were in the
salt tolerant what genes were in the salt tolerant lines which were missing
salt tolerant lines which were missing
salt tolerant lines which were missing from the salt sensitive line which is
from the salt sensitive line which is
from the salt sensitive line which is photographed in the middle of that
photographed in the middle of that
photographed in the middle of that picture I thought I had a lifetime’s
picture I thought I had a lifetime’s
picture I thought I had a lifetime’s research ahead of me to answer that
research ahead of me to answer that
research ahead of me to answer that question and one PhD student discovered
question and one PhD student discovered
question and one PhD student discovered the gene in just one PhD one three year
the gene in just one PhD one three year
the gene in just one PhD one three year project and then over about the
project and then over about the
project and then over about the following three years that gene was
following three years that gene was
following three years that gene was integrated into commercial lines where
integrated into commercial lines where
integrated into commercial lines where the field trials
the field trials
the field trials characterized the gene could work at
characterized the gene could work at
characterized the gene could work at exactly their mechanism of conferral of
exactly their mechanism of conferral of
exactly their mechanism of conferral of salinity tolerance from that single gene
salinity tolerance from that single gene
salinity tolerance from that single gene and here’s some results from one of the
and here’s some results from one of the
and here’s some results from one of the publications that came from this work
publications that came from this work
publications that came from this work showing the yield or the benefits of
showing the yield or the benefits of
showing the yield or the benefits of that gene from in in field trials on
that gene from in in field trials on
that gene from in in field trials on yield in a big field where the field is
yield in a big field where the field is
yield in a big field where the field is colored in different colors depending on
colored in different colors depending on
colored in different colors depending on the salinity and when you grow the
the salinity and when you grow the
the salinity and when you grow the plants in the blue part of the field the
plants in the blue part of the field the
plants in the blue part of the field the low salt parts of the field there was no
low salt parts of the field there was no
low salt parts of the field there was no yield penalty so that having that gene
yield penalty so that having that gene
yield penalty so that having that gene didn’t come with a cost but when you
didn’t come with a cost but when you
didn’t come with a cost but when you grew it in their red and yellow parts
grew it in their red and yellow parts
grew it in their red and yellow parts the field where there’s high salinity
the field where there’s high salinity
the field where there’s high salinity there was a 25% yield increase fabulous
there was a 25% yield increase fabulous
there was a 25% yield increase fabulous result remarkable all from a single gene
result remarkable all from a single gene
result remarkable all from a single gene his mechanism we could understand where
his mechanism we could understand where
his mechanism we could understand where did that gene came from it came from an
did that gene came from it came from an
did that gene came from it came from an old cross between a wild relative of
old cross between a wild relative of
old cross between a wild relative of wheat and a pasture wheat that was done
wheat and a pasture wheat that was done
wheat and a pasture wheat that was done by a breeder many many years previously
by a breeder many many years previously
by a breeder many many years previously it was a nice bit of serendipity so we
it was a nice bit of serendipity so we
it was a nice bit of serendipity so we can try to increase the salinity
can try to increase the salinity
can try to increase the salinity tolerance of crops that are existing and
tolerance of crops that are existing and
tolerance of crops that are existing and another approach we can take is to
another approach we can take is to
another approach we can take is to increase the usability the benefits for
increase the usability the benefits for
increase the usability the benefits for humans of plants which are already very
humans of plants which are already very
humans of plants which are already very salt tolerant remember that photograph
salt tolerant remember that photograph
salt tolerant remember that photograph of the plant growing in the sea a very
of the plant growing in the sea a very
of the plant growing in the sea a very close relative of that plant is quinoa
close relative of that plant is quinoa
close relative of that plant is quinoa and quinoa is very salt tolerant and
and quinoa is very salt tolerant and
and quinoa is very salt tolerant and it’s a plant which can grow in the
it’s a plant which can grow in the
it’s a plant which can grow in the Altiplano in Bolivia right next to the
Altiplano in Bolivia right next to the
Altiplano in Bolivia right next to the world’s biggest salt lake that’s the
world’s biggest salt lake that’s the
world’s biggest salt lake that’s the picture on the left-hand side and it’s
picture on the left-hand side and it’s
picture on the left-hand side and it’s also got huge variability there’s a
also got huge variability there’s a
also got huge variability there’s a photograph of some plants in our field
photograph of some plants in our field
photograph of some plants in our field trials in Dubai on the right hand side
trials in Dubai on the right hand side
trials in Dubai on the right hand side so we’ve got the raw material of
so we’ve got the raw material of
so we’ve got the raw material of variation we’ve got a plant which is
variation we’ve got a plant which is
variation we’ve got a plant which is really really tough
really really tough
really really tough very very salt tolerant it’s a very
very very salt tolerant it’s a very
very very salt tolerant it’s a very pretty plant as well which is a nice
pretty plant as well which is a nice
pretty plant as well which is a nice benefit of this work but it’s a far from
benefit of this work but it’s a far from
benefit of this work but it’s a far from perfect plant it’s tall it’s branchy its
perfect plant it’s tall it’s branchy its
perfect plant it’s tall it’s branchy its leggy it falls over you have a puffer
leggy it falls over you have a puffer
leggy it falls over you have a puffer and it falls over how useless is that it
and it falls over how useless is that it
and it falls over how useless is that it also is not really easily able to be
also is not really easily able to be
also is not really easily able to be planted and harvested in a mechanized
planted and harvested in a mechanized
planted and harvested in a mechanized way there’s
way there’s
way there’s varieties which can but a lot of our
varieties which can but a lot of our
varieties which can but a lot of our quinoa that we grow that we eat bought
quinoa that we grow that we eat bought
quinoa that we grow that we eat bought in the supermarket has come from the
in the supermarket has come from the
in the supermarket has come from the labors of children who should be at
labors of children who should be at
labors of children who should be at school so this plant needs to be what we
school so this plant needs to be what we
school so this plant needs to be what we call domesticated we need to be able to
call domesticated we need to be able to
call domesticated we need to be able to mechanize it
mechanize it
mechanize it we need to able to understand the plant
we need to able to understand the plant
we need to able to understand the plant and improve the plant we need to use
and improve the plant we need to use
and improve the plant we need to use this to develop a new mechanized crop
this to develop a new mechanized crop
this to develop a new mechanized crop that we grow in broad acres and
that we grow in broad acres and
that we grow in broad acres and irrigating with saline water to try to
irrigating with saline water to try to
irrigating with saline water to try to help us develop a whole new agricultural
help us develop a whole new agricultural
help us develop a whole new agricultural system that’s the aspiration using
system that’s the aspiration using
system that’s the aspiration using brackish groundwater or partially diesel
brackish groundwater or partially diesel
brackish groundwater or partially diesel and icy water we have to manage the soil
and icy water we have to manage the soil
and icy water we have to manage the soil we have to manage the drainage water and
we have to manage the drainage water and
we have to manage the drainage water and the aquifer water and develop a new
the aquifer water and develop a new
the aquifer water and develop a new agricultural system so by using sand and
agricultural system so by using sand and
agricultural system so by using sand and sea and the revolution in genetics we
sea and the revolution in genetics we
sea and the revolution in genetics we can develop a new agriculture and
can develop a new agriculture and
can develop a new agriculture and contribute to global food security thank
contribute to global food security thank
contribute to global food security thank you very much
you very much
you very much [Applause]
”
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