Thinking and practices of new methods for breeding wheat with improved nutrient use efficiency

In the early 1990s, based on China's basic national conditions, Li Zhensheng put forward the concept of sustainable agricultural development that took the path of resource-conserving and high-yield agriculture. He carried out breeding explorations on the efficient use of mineral nutrients by crops and pioneered a new direction for wheat breeding with the goals of "less input, more output, environmental protection, and sustainable development", mainly focusing on improving the absorption and utilization efficiency of phosphorus and nitrogen. He has led and greatly promoted "the Second Green Revolution" in China's agriculture. In September 2024, Academician Li Zhensheng was awarded the "Medal of the Republic". This review summarizes Academician Li Zhensheng's strategic considerations in advocating the new direction of breeding and how he arranged to conduct research on the physiological and genetic basis of phosphorus efficient use in wheat. By doing so, we pay tribute to the outstanding work done by Academician Li Zhensheng in the research field of nutrient-efficient use by crops, and it is expected to further demonstrate Li Zhensheng's academic approaches and spirit so as to provide references for those who come after him.