Boron toxicity tolerance in wheat and barley: Australian perspectives

Abstract

Boron (B) toxicity is a significant constraint to cereal production in regions worldwide, including parts of southern Australia. In recent years, much progress has been made by research groups investigating the molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in B toxicity tolerance in both barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum sp. L.). In barley, genes have been identified controlling B tolerance at two of the four known B toxicity tolerance loci, both of which encode B transporters. Progress has also been made towards the identification of genes involved in B toxicity tolerance in wheat. Here we describe the current status of this work, in the context of B toxicity tolerance research in Australia and internationally. We also summarize prospects for breeding new cereal varieties with B toxicity tolerance in the future.