Breeding improves wheat productivity under contrasting agrochemical input levels.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Breeding
• Genetics

Background:

• Wheat cropping area is extensive, making high yields critical for global food security.
• Conventional breeding for high yields often occurs under optimal conditions, potentially limiting adaptability to diverse environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of five decades of wheat breeding in Western Europe on cultivar performance.
• To determine if breeding for high yields under optimal conditions affects performance in less optimal, reduced-input systems.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of wheat cultivar performance data over 50 years in Western Europe.
• Evaluation of genetic gains in yield parameters, disease resistance, nutrient use efficiency, photosynthetic efficiency, and grain quality.

Main Results:

• Wheat breeding for high performance enhanced yields in both optimal and reduced-input agricultural systems.
• Newer cultivars accumulated genetic variants improving yield, disease resistance, nutrient and photosynthetic efficiency, and grain quality.

Conclusions:

• Breeding for high yield does not necessarily reduce adaptability; it can enhance performance across varied conditions.
• Combining beneficial genome-wide haplotypes offers a strategy for breeders to optimize future yield potential in sustainable systems.