New Mass Spectrometer Opening Doors at WSU

Wheat researchers and breeders at WSU and with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are excited to have their new mass spectrometer up and running.

ARS Research Leader David Weller said it’s about accumulating as much data as possible.
“What we want to do in developing that basic understanding is identify biomarkers that can the healthy and productivity of a particular wheat crop.”

The work will mainly focus on plant-soil and plant-microbe interactions to get a more complete understanding.

Weller said the ability to identify the biomarkers will have an enormous impact.

“It’s a real new tool and a powerful tool that we can apply to our breeding programs to develop new varieties that are more productive, more sustainable and provide greater yields to our farmers here in the Pacific Northwest.”

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