Revolutionising Wheat
Showcasing the impact of more than two decades of BBSRC-funded research
For over two decades, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has been at the forefront of wheat research, investing over £300 million since the turn of the century.
The goal? To safeguard one of the world's most vital crops and strengthen global food security.
The wheat story
Introduction by Professor Guy Poppy, BBSRC interim Executive Chair
Wheat is the unsung hero of our daily diets, providing 20 per cent of the calories we consume, beyond its energy-packed grains, wheat boasts an impressive nutrient profile. Its adaptability, ease of storage and conversion into flour make it the cornerstone of numerous essential foods.
This crop also reigns supreme in terms of land use, with an anticipated worldwide production of approximately 770 million tonnes this year alone.
However, the fragility of wheat production creates price volatility due to supply and demand fluctuations, particularly in a handful of countries.
By 2050, with the global population projected to hit 10 billion, the world needs to produce 60 per cent more wheat to meet demand. This challenge is further exacerbated by climate change, emerging pests and diseases, conflicts, labour shortages and groundwater depletion.
BBSRC's contribution
Recognising these challenges, BBSRC has been a driving force in wheat research and innovation.
As the UK’s major public funder of bioscience research and innovation, our investments and collaborations with national and international partners are aimed at developing wheat varieties with enhanced yield, quality, nutrition and sustainability while bolstering resilience to climate change and resistance to pests and diseases.
Our investments have been transformative. They have not only led to ground-breaking research - they have also cultivated a thriving community of wheat researchers in the UK. These investments have yielded transformative tools, technologies and resources that are now shaping the future of wheat agriculture.
The impact
BBSRC's commitment to wheat research is not just an academic exercise. It is an investment in our collective wellbeing. An independent evaluation of BBSRC's efforts reveals significant socio-economic impacts:
- in the UK, a projected Gross Value Added (GVA) of £900 million over 25 years, yielding a return of £4 for every £1 invested by BBSRC
- globally, an estimated GVA of £1.99 billion, over 25 years, resulting in a return of £8.90 per £1 invested by BBSRC
Furthermore, the research outputs from our investments have successfully transitioned into practical and commercial applications, with evidence of their germplasm and genomic tools being adopted by breeders.
Wheat lines developed with BBSRC investment have been considered for the National List for cereals which, with information on yield, quality, agronomic features, and market options, assists farmers in their selection of which varieties to grow.
Collaboration has been pivotal in our success to date. By fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and international borders, we have amplified the impact of our investments while contributing to the global quest for food security.
Beyond the market
BBSRC's research extends beyond the private sector's typical focus on yield and quality. It explores the full spectrum of genetic diversity in wheat, ensuring the preservation of this invaluable resource for future generations.
As we navigate the challenges of a growing population, climate change and geopolitical conflicts, BBSRC's investments in wheat research stand us in good stead for global food security.
Our continued commitment to innovation and collaboration is not only transforming the future of wheat, it is ensuring that this essential crop remains a cornerstone of our daily lives.
Professor Guy Poppy BBSRC interim Executive Chair
Professor Guy Poppy BBSRC interim Executive Chair
Leading the way in wheat research
For over two decades, BBSRC has been the driving force behind ground-breaking wheat research, investing over £300 million since 2000. Our investments, coupled with visionary leadership, have transformed the world of wheat, and laid the foundations for a brighter and more secure food future.
Flagship programmes
International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP)
With BBSRC as the UK partner, IWYP provides germplasm, knowledge, and tools to breeding programmes around the world to achieve gains in farmers’ fields.
This is achieved by combining wheat genomics discoveries from around the world and testing them against elite lines in the field.
The results to date include:
- 298 new wheat crosses, 320 available wheat lines, and four wheat varieties, with the best new lines showcasing over 6 per cent higher grain yield than elite varieties
- Published wiring diagrams that illustrate the interrelationships of the physiological traits that impact wheat yield potential and serve as a decision support tool for crop scientists
- 40 UK scientists have joined a network of more than 150 researchers across 14 countries
- 57 UK-based early career researchers have received training through the global network
20:20 Wheat
Harnessing biochemistry, physiology, molecular genetics, biomathematics, bioinformatics and cutting-edge biotechnology, the programme was organised into four work packages:
- maximising yield potential
- protecting yield potential
- studying soil resource interactions
- systems approaches to crop improvement
This integrated effort aimed to unravel the factors limiting wheat yield across diverse environments.
Wheat Institute Strategic Programme (WISP)
By leveraging wild and cultivated relatives that provide a wealth of genetic variation and developing novel pre-breeding wheat germplasm using three different but complementary strategies, this research sought to maximise the introduction of diversity and beneficial traits into a range of wheat lines.
The programme involved the following organisations: John Innes Centre and Rothamsted Research, the Universities of Bristol and Nottingham and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB).
Key work included:
- developing germplasm from crosses involving wheat landraces or locally adapted varieties derived from existing germplasm collections
- creating synthetic hexaploid wheats by artificially crossing tetraploid or "pasta" wheats with diploid wheat progenitors
- using a technique called alien introgression to transfer small segments of chromosomes of wild relatives containing the target genes into wheat
Designing Future Wheat (DFW)
It sought to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. This germplasm was provided in a readily accessible and referenced form to commercial crop breeders and the plant science community.
DFW has developed a world-leading experimental platform for wheat research. Specially bred large populations allowed sampling of the majority of natural diversity available, showing which elements of this diversity are useful for breeders in tackling critical challenges. Research through DFW uncovered the genetic code for thousands of these lines.
Delivering Sustainable Wheat
Their collective aim is to cultivate a sustainable supply of nutritious wheat for a carbon-efficient farming future. The research strives to create wheat that is:
- climate resilient
- nitrogen fertiliser efficient
- carbon sequestering
- resistant to diseases, even new ones
- benefitting from precise plant protection products
- enriched with essential minerals like zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium and dietary fibre
Outputs and outcomes
Global collaboration boosts impact
International collaborations have amplified BBSRC's investments, achieving global impacts beyond national efforts alone.
Indeed, data shows that the science supported by BBSRC’s investments stands out globally, with:
- a category normalised citation impact more than double the world average (2.20)
- 30% of publications are in the top 10% of the most cited documents globally
- international publication co-authors extending across 65 countries
- 66 per cent of publications featuring an international co-author, with the main ones being China, the USA, Australia, Germany, and France
Case studies
Unleashing the power of wild wheat to boost disease resistance
Imagine a world where wheat not only withstands disease but also packs more nutrients. Thanks to over a decade of funding from BBSRC and pioneering research at the University of Nottingham (UoN) this vision is becoming a reality.
Tackling wheat yellow rust disease
Yellow rust is a major global threat to wheat, causing annual losses of 5.5 million tonnes valued at £782 million. In recent years, climate change has given rise to more aggressive rust strains, including yellow, leaf and stem rust, which has devastated 40% of wheat harvests across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Revolutionising fibre intake – the wheat breakthrough
In the UK, a staggering 91% of adults fall short of their daily dietary fibre needs, putting them at risk for diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, bowel cancer and obesity. This takes a toll on both health and the economy.
Revolutionising crop analysis – the Fotenix journey
In 2018, University of Manchester spin-out Fotenix emerged to pioneer 3D multi-spectral imaging for agriculture. Co-founded by Professor Bruce Grieve and Dr Charles Veys, Fotenix developed the technology to mount on tractors, robotics or handheld devices. This innovation offers real-time crop disease and stress identification as well as ripeness detection for soft fruits.
Precision wheat breeding unleashed – the Zip4 gene
Researchers led by Professor Graham Moore at the John Innes Centre have unearthed a game-changer – a novel copy of the ZIP4 gene and guardian of 50% of wheat grain number. The discovery paves the way for elite, high-yield wheat varieties built to withstand climate challenges.
Cracking wheat’s genetic code
The sequencing, assembly and annotation of the wheat genome has been fundamental in breeding and developing improved wheat varieties. Wheat’s complex genome makes it much more challenging to work with, hampering research and breeding efforts.
About BBSRC
As the UK’s major public funder of bioscience research and innovation, BBSRC's vision is to advance the frontiers of biology and drive towards a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.
Key to meeting this vision are BBSRC’s strategic partnerships with universities, of which there are 15.
Also mission critical are the 8 specialist bioscience research institutes that BBSRC strategically funds:
- Babraham Institute
- Earlham Institute
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS)
- John Innes Centre
- The Pirbright Institute
- Quadram Institute
- The Roslin Institute
- Rothamsted Research
Find out more about BBSRC’s work and strategic priorities by reading our Strategic Delivery Plan 2022-2025.
Impact narratives and case studies provide an important evidence base to support the case for continued investment in world-class bioscience.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.
https://www.ukri.org/councils/bbsrc/
Get in touch with us to discuss BBSRC’s research outcomes and impacts or to tell us about your own:
Emma Lambourne
Senior Manager, Impact Evidence
emma.lambourne@bbsrc.ukri.org
Dr Beverley Thomas
Associate Director, Evidence and Evaluation
beverley.thomas@bbsrc.ukri.org
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