Wheat wide hybridization and chromosome engineering breeding in China

As the second important staple crop next to rice in China, common wheat (Triticum aestivum) plays a decisive role in national food security. Wild and semi-wild relatives of wheat provide abundant genetic resources for wheat genetic improvement. In China, wheat wide hybridization and chromosome engineering breeding initiated in the 1950s and developed into a well-defined theoretical and technical system over the next three decades through learning, exploration and practice. Subsequently, the technological innovation in alien chromatin identification and the isolation and analysis of alien resistance genes sponsored by continuous national projects have significantly enhanced China's impact on the world in this field. Eminent scientists such as Professor Li Zhensheng, who was awarded the Medal of the Republic before the National Day in 2024, have made outstanding contributions to the establishment and development of the research in this area in China. This article reviews the history of wheat wide hybridization and chromosome engineering breeding in China, aiming to honor the senior scientists and inspire future researchers to work hard in germplasm innovation and alien gene transfer, cloning and utilization in breeding.