Researchers have uncovered a new layer of genetic diversity in wheat that could provide essential tools for developing varieties resilient to climate change. By creating the first-ever “pan-transcriptome” for wheat, scientists can now see how different varieties use their genes, offering a powerful new method to accelerate breeding programs. This insight is critical for adapting one of the world’s most essential crops to challenges like rising temperatures, water scarcity, and evolving diseases, which threaten global food stability.
Wheat is the most widely grown crop globally, providing about 20% of all human calories and protein. However, meeting the needs of a projected 10 billion people by 2050 requires a substantial increase in production—an estimated 60%—at a time when climate change is making yields more precarious. The vast and complex wheat genome has historically made rapid genetic improvements difficult. This new research bypasses some of those complexities by focusing on gene expression, revealing how groups of genes work together in networks and providing breeders with a map to previously hidden traits that are key to crop survival and productivity.
The Complexity of the Wheat Genome
The genetic makeup of modern wheat presents significant hurdles for crop scientists. Its genome is notoriously large and complex, which has slowed the pace of breeding improvements compared to other staple crops. For decades, breeders have worked to improve key traits, but the urgency of the climate crisis and escalating environmental stressors demand faster, more precise methods. Traditional breeding strategies, while successful in the past, are struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of climate change and the emergence of new pests and diseases. Global wheat production is estimated to fall by 6% for every degree-celsius increase in average temperature, highlighting the urgent need for new solutions.
Mapping Gene Activity
The central breakthrough is the creation of a wheat pan-transcriptome, a comprehensive map of gene activity. Instead of focusing only on the DNA sequence, scientists analyzed the RNA molecules that carry out DNA’s instructions. This approach allows them to see which genes are turned on or off in different wheat varieties and under various conditions. Dr. Rachel Rusholme-Pilcher, a postdoctoral researcher at the Earlham Institute, noted that this method revealed “layers of hidden diversity” that likely explain wheat’s success across a wide range of global environments. By understanding how networks of genes are regulated differently between varieties, researchers can pinpoint new sources of genetic diversity crucial for boosting resilience. This resource provides a powerful tool for developing hardier wheat without increasing reliance on fertilizers, which can contribute to pollution and biodiversity loss.
Learning from Ancient Relatives
A Reservoir of Untapped Traits
Beyond modern varieties, a vast genetic reservoir exists in wheat’s ancient and wild relatives. These ancestors have survived millennia of environmental stress, evolving robust defenses against drought, heat, and pathogens. Genebanks around the world hold nearly 800,000 wheat seed samples, yet only a fraction of this diversity has been utilized in modern breeding programs. Tapping into these wild relatives allows for the reintroduction of valuable traits that were lost during domestication and modern cultivation.
Proven Success in Disease Resistance
The benefits of using wild relative genes are already clear. One of the most significant impacts has been in developing disease-resistant wheat strains. This has allowed farmers to avoid using an estimated 1 billion liters of fungicide since the year 2000 alone. Dr. Susanne Dreisigacker of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) stated that without these transferred genes, fungicide use would have likely doubled. Researchers have also bred wheat that interacts beneficially with soil microbes by using a gene from a wild relative, which helps reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers and improves soil health.
Accelerating Future Breeding Efforts
New technologies are revolutionizing the speed at which this genetic diversity can be harnessed. High-throughput gene sequencing, big-data analytics, and artificial intelligence are enabling scientists to sift through massive genomic datasets and pinpoint valuable traits much more efficiently. These tools allow for sophisticated crop-breeding simulations to identify novel solutions for climate resilience. According to Dr. Matthew Reynolds of CIMMYT, combining these approaches with technologies like satellite imagery effectively “turns the planet into a laboratory,” enhancing the ability to develop improved crops.
A Global and Collaborative Initiative
This work is part of a broad international effort to safeguard the future of wheat. The research involves collaboration between key institutions like the Earlham Institute, the John Innes Centre, and CIMMYT. The “Delivering Sustainable Wheat” program, funded by UK Research and Innovation, is a strategic initiative aimed at discovering sustainability traits, delivering resilience to disease and pests, and improving nutritional value. This program directly feeds new knowledge, traits, and wheat varieties into breeding and farming sectors to ensure that scientific breakthroughs are adopted swiftly. The resources generated, including the pan-transcriptome, are being shared with the worldwide wheat research community to foster continued innovation and secure this vital food source for future generations.