International Study Uncovers Untapped Diversity in Historic Wheat Collection

Jun 25, 2024

A decade-long cross-institutional collaboration led by scientists from the John Innes Centre (JIC) and the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), has discovered huge genetic potential that is untapped in modern wheat varieties.

Dr. Simon Griffiths at JIC and Professor Shifeng Cheng at CAAS studied the historic A.E. Watkins Landrace Collection, which contains a collection of local wheat varieties which are no longer grown anywhere in the world, and compared this with modern wheats. The study reveals that at least 60 percent of the genetic diversity found in the A.E. Watkins Landrace Collection is unused, providing an unprecedented opportunity to improve modern wheat and sustainably feed a growing global population.

The international research team conducted in-depth phenotyping, covering three experimental stations from the United Kingdom and field evaluation in five locations from northern to southern China. In total, 137 traits were surveyed in this study.

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Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.