Uni to research hybrid wheat

UNIVERSITY of Adelaide has been awarded almost $2 million in Mid-Career Industry Fellowships scheme grants by the Australian Research Council. 

The funding will support two projects, including a focus on unlocking the full reproductive potential for hybrid wheat breeding. 

University of Adelaide vice-chancellor and president Professor Peter Hoj AC said the grant was a fantastic result for researchers.

“Renewable energy and food security are two of the most pressing issues facing society today and into the future,” he said.

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine plant molecular biologist Dr Ryan Whitford will lead the project which aims to improve wheat’s female receptivity to airborne pollen. 

“Globally, wheat is cultivated as an inbred self-fertile crop with yield gains stagnating over the past decades,” Dr Whitford said.

“This contrasts with unabated yield gains and yield stability achieved for rice and corn through hybrid breeding and cross-pollination.  

“Wheat hybrids hold potential for a 10 to 22 per cent yield boost, but commercial deployment is restricted due to high seed production costs, a result of wheat’s floral architecture and poor outcrossing characteristics.  

“Improving wheat’s female receptivity to airborne pollen will reduce costs, which is a major bottleneck to commercial realisation of hybrids globally.”