Wheat is one of the most important grain varieties and plays a significant role as a basic food.
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Utilising substantial genetic potential in wheat for higher yields

Researchers of the Technical University of Munich in Germany, working in international science teams, are conducting experiments to identify untapped genetic resources to increase wheat yields around the world.

The disruptions in global trading markets resulting from the war in Ukraine, among other causes, have focused public attention on the issue of securing a sufficient supply of high-quality foods for the global population. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are searching for modern methods to boost global harvests and thus to ensure global food security. Wheat plays a special role in these efforts.

In terms of cultivated cropland, wheat is one of the most important grain varieties and plays a significant role as a basic food. It is grown in over a hundred countries. However, the supply of wheat is inadequate and many developing and emerging countries are highly dependent on imports. Senthold Asseng, Professor of Digital Agriculture at TUM in Weihenstephan near Munich, has been working with international research teams to study scenarios and models that could lead the way out of the wheat crisis.

Wheat crisis threatens food security and global peace
 

Fluctuations in prices on global markets and in harvests have a major impact on the nutrition situation for many people worldwide. These supply bottlenecks have negative effects on the quality of life of the population, and that can undermine social stability. “The current global wheat crisis shows how important wheat is for the world. In many countries, food security is linked to national security, civil unrest, migration and even war,” says Prof. Asseng. “Wheat yields are stagnating in many parts of the world. Especially with the rising global population, steady increases in yields will be needed over the coming decades to secure global food needs,” warns Asseng.

Finding and utilising hidden breeding resources
 

Asseng is working intensively on potential increases in wheat yields. As a scientist, his work is not limited to theoretical calculations and models. His research also engages directly with nature through field experiments, including work with regional wheat varieties. 

“We are approaching the biophysical limits of wheat yields. So we need to understand the functions of crops to boost yields further,” says the scientist. He firmly believes that the genetic resources of wheat are considerable. In his experiments, he has identified the unused genetic resources in this cultivated plant with the potential to increase yields around the world. He speaks of a genetic yield gap of 51 per cent.

The goal is to mobilise this breeding gap. This can be done by targeted breeding that will utilise the yield potential of wheat and thus lead to richer harvests.

Genetics are important, but only an interdisciplinary approach will achieve the goal
 

However, Asseng is certain: “genetics alone cannot solve the global nutrition problems. We can achieve this only with an interdisciplinary approach through the application of genetics combined with soil and climate science, as well as research into cultivated plants.” 

The use of advanced, modern breeding instruments and the continual improvement of agricultural crop production through optimised plant and soil management will achieve the urgently needed increases in the global wheat harvest. "This can then bring about an effective solution for an adequate worldwide supply of food in the future," says Asseng.

(TUM/wi)

 

More information:

Senapati, N., Semenov, M.A., Halford, N.G. et al. Global wheat production could benefit from closing the genetic yield gap. Nat Food (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-022-00540-9 

Reynolds, M.P., Slafer, G.A., Foulkes, J.M. et al. A wiring diagram to integrate physiological traits of wheat yield potential. Nat Food 3, 318–324 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-022-00512-z 

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