Accelerated genomic selection to speed up genetic gain in wheat (2017-2019)

Since the Green Revolution rates of genetic gain for wheat yield are beginning to plateau and the onset of climate change threatens productivity and global food security. Numerous breeding technologies have emerged, which assist the development of improved cultivars, including genomic selection, speed breeding, high-throughput phenotyping, and crop modeling. This project will develop and validate novel crop improvement protocols by fusing together these four leading-edge technologies ‿ targeting yield under drought. More efficient breeding techniques could accelerate genetic gain in wheat ‿ beyond what is expected to occur in ongoing breeding programs, and empower breeders to develop robust cereal varieties in the face of climate change.