Minister for Innovation John Brumby said the findings have major implications for improving frost tolerance in crop and pasture species that underpin the world's agriculture industries.
"Over the next few years we should see the development and application of technologies for frost tolerance in crops based on the knowledge gained from the functional analysis of these antifreeze genes," Brumby said.
It’s estimated that 5%-15% of the world’s agricultural production each year is lost to frost. In the United States the number is estimated to be even higher.
Antarctic Hairgrass is one of only two vascular plants and the sole grass species to colonize the Antarctic Peninsula.
"It survives temperatures as low as minus 30C and winters with little or no light," said Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Bob Cameron.
"DPI scientists have been able to identify related genes in temperate grasses such as ryegrass, and by comparing them with the Antarctic grass's ice recrystallisation inhibition genes have established the technological basis for strategies to improve frost tolerance in some crop and pasture species."
Media Release
Minister for Innovation, Minister for Agriculture, Victoria, Australia
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