Plant Science
Researchers discover gene that could triple wheat yields
Scientists at the University of Maryland have identified a gene that enables a rare wheat variety to produce three ovaries per flower, potentially boosting grain yields significantly. This discovery, detailed in a study published on October 14, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offers a genetic tool to enhance food production amid rising global demand. The finding targets the activation of the WUSCHEL-D1 gene to create extra grain-bearing structures in wheat flowers.