Press Release: RAGT project to accelerate breeding of more resilient wheat varieties gets funding boost from UKRI

The award, worth £335,000 over the next three years, will underpin research to transform wheat breeding by improving marker-assisted selection and genomic selection techniques.

Led by Dr John Baison and Heidi Town, under the mentorship of Dr Christopher Burt, the initiative’s ultimate goal is to create high-yielding, climate-resilient wheat cultivars with enhanced nutritional value.

“I am delighted by the renewal of the Future Leaders Fellowship and am very grateful that UKRI has recognised the significance of this project,” said Dr Baison.

The project focuses on developing a comprehensive genetic blueprint of a modern, high performing wheat cultivar. This blueprint will allow researchers to identify and select unique traits essential for wheat breeding programmes.

Whilst a number of wheat genomes are already available, none accurately represent the most up-to-date genetics. By creating a more accurate reference genome, RAGT aims to pinpoint valuable genetic traits and to shorten the traditional breeding cycle to develop wheat varieties adapted to an increasingly variable and challenging environment.

Using a reference genome that closely matches the breeding germplasm, RAGT’s researchers and breeders can more effectively identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other genetic variants. This improvement will enhance the design and validation of DNA markers to track desirable traits.

This will expedite the integration of beneficial traits, such as Septoria resistance and BYDV resistance, into new wheat varieties. This increased genetic gain means that farmers will have faster access to improved varieties with enhanced performance in the field.

“The ability to target previously inaccessible regions of the genome with existing genotyping platforms will greatly enhance our accuracy in locating genes of interest, allowing us to breed for them using molecular markers,” said Dr Baison.

By reducing the need for chemical treatments through the development of disease-resistant wheat varieties, this project will provide consumers with high-quality wheat containing fewer pesticide residues. Additionally, minimising insecticide use will promote farm biodiversity and support environmental sustainability.

This innovative project demonstrates RAGT’s commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and sustainability. By utilising cutting-edge genomic technology, RAGT is poised to develop wheat varieties that cater to the needs of farmers, consumers, and the environment, paving the way for a more sustainable future in wheat production.