A team of researchers at Forman Christian College in Pakistan reported the
successful introduction of the Agrobacterium Isopentenyl transferase (IPT)
gene into wheat which led to drought tolerance. Their findings are published
in Transgenic Research.



Drought is one of the abiotic stresses that affect the yield and aging of
leaves in cereal crops, leading to limitations in productivity. The
isopentenyl transferase (IPT) gene, which is involved in the production of
cytokinin, can delay drought-induced leaf aging. Thus, the research team
introduced the Agrobacterium IPT gene into two local wheat cultivars, NR-421
and FSD-2008.



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