Researchers Turn to Modern Methods to Boost Global Harvests of Wheat

Aug 12, 2022

Wheat plays an important role in these studies. TUM, led by Professor Senthold Asseng, is working with international research teams to look at scenarios and models that could lead the way out of the global wheat crisis. According to Professor Asseng, the fluctuations in prices on global markets and in harvests have a major impact on the nutrition situation for many people worldwide. “The current global wheat crisis shows how important wheat is for the world,” he added.

Professor Asseng is now working intensively on potentially increasing wheat yields. In their experiments, he identified the unused genetic resources of wheat which has reached 51 percent. To bridge this yield gap, targeted breeding can lead to higher harvests. However, Professor Asseng said that genetics alone cannot solve the problem, and will need an interdisciplinary approach using genetics combined with soil and climate science.

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Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?