​NTU scientists discover sustainable way to increase seed oil yield in crops

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore scientists have developed a new genetic in plants that can increase the yield of natural oil in seeds by up to 15 per cent in laboratory conditions. The modification can be applied to crops such as canola, soybean and sunflower.

Using a patent-pending method, the research team led by Assistant Professor Wei Ma from NTU’s School of Biological Sciences genetically modified a key protein in plants which regulates the amount of oil they produce. This results in larger oil reserves in the seed.

The research findings were published in the scientific journal Plant Signaling & Behavior.