An international team of scientists from Australia and China has unveiled the first chromosome-scale genome of a wild barley species.

Their findings offer direct implications for more sustainable agriculture and significant yield improvements for Australian grain production.

Led by researchers from Murdoch University and the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS), the groundbreaking study of the wild barley species Hordeum brevisubulatum - renowned for its exceptional tolerance to alkaline and saline soils – is a significant leap forward in harnessing crop wild relatives (CWRs) to combat soil degradation and the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events.

The study, published in Nature Plants, identified critical genetic adaptations, including the duplication of stress-response genes that enable efficient nutrient intake under alkaline stress. When overexpressed, these genes doubled in biomass and offered improved yields in harsh conditions.

The team also discovered that a fungal-derived gene previously known for disease resistance was found to reduce oxidative stress in saline-alkaline environments.

Following these findings, the team developed a new hexaploid crop, Tritordeum (AABBII), by replacing wheat’s ‘D’ subgenome with H. brevisubulatum’s I genome. This new crop has exhibited a remarkable 48% increase in nitrate uptake and a 28% increase in grain yield under stress compared to conventional wheat.

Speaking on the findings, Prof Chengdao Li, Director of the Western Crop Genetics Alliance and Corresponding Author of the study, said:

“Our findings offer transformative potential for Australia’s agricultural sector, particularly in regions like Western Australia and South Australia where there is significant dryland soil salinity. By breeding salinity-resistant grain crops, we can safeguard yields in drought-prone areas, reduce our costly reliance on fertilisers whilst maintaining productivity, and make a tangible step towards Australia’s 2030 sustainability targets.”

“Additionally, the extraordinary resilience of H. brevisubulatum’s I genome equips us with genetic tools to future-proof staple crops against climate extremes, ensuring the competitiveness of our grains sector.

Murdoch University Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director of the Food Futures Institute, Professor Peter Davies, added that:

“This landmark study not only advances global understanding of plant stress adaptation, it also positions Australia at the forefront of climate-smart crop innovation. By accelerating the integration of wild barley’s genetic traits into breeding programs, researchers will be able to deliver new varieties within the next decade and offer timely solutions for farmers battling rising temperatures and soil degradation.

“We’re immensely proud of the significant contribution that Murdoch University researchers have played in this collaborative study. Congratulations to Prof Li, Co-first author Dr Yong Jia, Prof Rajeev Varshney, Dr Tianhua He, Dr Brett Chapman and Dr Vanika Garg for their respective contributions – their work underscores the urgency of conserving genetic resources and investing in genomic technologies to secure food production in a warming world,” he said.

This study is the result of a joint effort between scientists from Murdoch University’s Western Crop Genetics Alliance, Murdoch University’s Centre for Crop & Food Innovation, BAAFS, and other international institutions. The team assembled the high-quality genome of H. brevisubulatum, a perennial wild barley species native to saline-alkaline regions and re-sequenced 38 accessions across seven related species.

Full details of this study and its implications can be found in Nature Plants.

Find out more about the work of Murdoch University's Food Futures Institute.