Scientists at Rothamsted Research have identified a natural defence mechanism in ancestral einkorn wheat that could lead to more sustainable pest management in modern agriculture.
Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the study reports the discovery of saponarin—a flavonoid naturally occurring in Triticum monococcum. The compound dramatically reduces the survival of the English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae), one of the most damaging pests to global wheat production.
Aphids harm wheat not only through direct feeding but also by transmitting viruses such as barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), which can slash yields by as much as 80%. Today’s control methods depend heavily on insecticides, an approach increasingly undermined by rising resistance, tighter regulations, and environmental pressures. The new findings suggest that breeding wheat varieties with inherent aphid resistance could help reduce pesticide use and bolster sustainable farming practices.
The research examined two lines of T. monococcum (MDR045 and MDR049), both previously found to be resistant to S. avenae and the bird cherry–oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi). Leaf extracts from these lines significantly decreased aphid survival in feeding assays. Through bioassay-guided fractionation, the team pinpointed saponarin as the compound responsible for this resistance. Its effectiveness stood out from other plant flavonoids tested, with the exception of naringenin, according to a press release.
“These findings highlight the untapped potential of ancestral crop species in modern agriculture,” said Dr. Alexander Borg, co-author of the study. “By identifying and understanding natural resistance traits, we can integrate them into elite wheat varieties and reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides. Discovering saponarin as a key bioactive compound marks a step toward sustainable pest management and opens new opportunities for integrated crop protection.”
This research underscores the value of ancient grains as a source of natural defence mechanisms — tools that modern agriculture may soon harness to create more resilient, climate-smart crops.