Bread wheat is one of the most important crops in the world, providing food and income for billions of people.
However, bread wheat also faces many challenges, such as climate change, pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiency.
To overcome these challenges, scientists and breeders are looking for ways to improve the resilience and productivity of bread wheat varieties.
One of the sources of inspiration and innovation for this endeavor is an ancient grain called einkorn.
What is einkorn and what are its benefits?
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Einkorn is one of the oldest domesticated grains, dating back to more than 10,000 years ago in the Middle East, as per Phys.org.
Its scientific name is Triticum monococcum, and it belongs to the same genus as bread wheat.
Einkorn has a simple genome with only two sets of chromosomes, compared to six sets in bread wheat. It also has a unique flavor and nutritional profile, with higher levels of protein, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants than bread wheat.
It has several benefits for both humans and plants.
For humans, einkorn can provide a healthy and tasty alternative to bread wheat, especially for people who are gluten-sensitive or allergic to modern wheat varieties.
This ancient grain has a lower gluten content and a different gluten structure than bread wheat, which makes it easier to digest and less likely to cause inflammation or allergic reactions.
Moreover, einkorn also has a higher content of carotenoids, which are pigments that give the grain a yellow color and have health benefits for humans.
Carotenoids can protect the eyes from age-related diseases, boost the immune system, and prevent some types of cancer.
Meanwhile, for plants, einkorn can provide a valuable genetic resource that can help improve the resilience and productivity of bread wheat.
It has a rich and complex genetic diversity that reflects its long history of domestication and adaptation and has some traits that are beneficial for coping with stress conditions, such as drought, heat, or disease.
For example, einkorn has a higher resistance to stem rust, a fungal disease that can cause severe losses in wheat crops, and it also has a higher tolerance to salinity, which is a problem for many irrigated lands.
How did scientists unlock the genetic secrets of einkorn?
A recent study by researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia has revealed the genetic secrets of einkorn by sequencing its complete genome, as per Eurekalert.
The study used a combination of DNA sequencing technologies to assemble a high-quality genome map of einkorn, which consists of 5.2 billion letters or base pairs.
The study also compared the genome of einkorn with those of other wheat species, such as durum wheat and bread wheat.
It found that einkorn has exchanged DNA with other wheat species over time, resulting in hybridization and gene flow events.
The study also identified some genes that are unique to einkorn or have been lost in bread wheat, such as genes related to disease resistance, stress tolerance, or grain quality, and suggested some possible strategies for enhancing bread wheat performance by exploiting the potential of einkorn.
For example, the study suggested that some genes that are responsible for stem rust resistance in einkorn could be introduced into bread wheat through genetic engineering or conventional breeding.
Researchers also suggested that some carotenoids that are present in einkorn could be enhanced in bread wheat by modifying the expression of some genes involved in their biosynthesis.
