16 July 1999
Boffins find dwarf plant gene

SCIENTISTS at the John Innes Centre in the UK have identified a “dwarfing” gene that played a key role in the green revolution in agricultural production.

The Financial Times, commenting on research reported in the science title Nature, says the discovery opens up the possibility of quickly developing, higher-yielding varieties of a range of crops.

A dwarf plant puts less of its resources into stalks and more into the developing grains, with a resultant increase in yields.