CIMMYT played a key role in advancing research on yellow rust resistance by supporting field trials in Mexico and providing access to its extensive collection of traditional wheat varieties. Through its collaboration with the University of Zurich and Kyoto University, CIMMYT contributed to the identification of novel genetic regions in Asian landraces that offer resistance to the destructive fungus. Its leadership in conserving one of the worldâs largest wheat germplasm collections continues to be vital for global efforts to develop disease-resilient wheat and safeguard food security through biodiversity.
A newly published study has identified a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against wheat blast: a novel quantitative trait locus (QTL), named Qwb.cim-7D, located on the long arm of chromosome 7D and derived from Aegilops tauschii, offers stable and moderate resistance to wheat blastâindependently of the widely used 2NS translocation.
Wheat blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT), is a rapidly spreading disease threatening wheat production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. First detected in Brazil in 1985, the disease has since caused devastating yield lossesâup to 100% in severe cases. Its transboundary spread, including recent incursions in Bangladesh and Zambia, has intensified international concerns about food security, especially among vulnerable smallholder farming communities. Control through chemical means has proven unreliable, placing even greater emphasis on the development and deployment of resistant wheat cultivars.
Fig. 1 Global incidence of wheat blast with years of its first identification indicated for the affected countries
For years, wheat breeders have relied on a single major source of genetic resistanceâthe 2NS/2AS translocation from Aegilops ventricosa. While initially effective, recent field observationsâparticularly in Brazilâsuggest that wheat blast pathogens are evolving to overcome this resistance. Despite extensive efforts, previous studies have failed to identify any non-2NS QTLs with both significant and stable effects across environments in field trials.
Fig. 2 Contrasted wheat blast reactions between BWMRI Gom 3 (left, a 2NS carrier) and BARI Gom 26 (right, a non-2NS carrier)
A New Genetic Solution for Blast Resistance
In a recently published study entitled âA novel QTL on chromosome 7D derived from Aegilops tauschii confers moderate field resistance to wheat blastâ, CIMMYTâs wheat pathology team and collaborators reported the identification of a novel and consistent QTLâQwb.cim-7Dâwhich provides significant resistance to wheat blast independent of the 2NS translocation.
The donor bread wheat line, Gladius*2/KU 2097, inherited its resistance from the resistant Ae. tauschii accession ‘KU-2097’. Field experiments were conducted at two Precision Phenotyping Platforms (PPP) in Bolivia (Quirusillas and Okinawa) and one PPP in Bangladesh (Jashore), under artificially inoculated conditionsâensuring a robust evaluation of resistance. The QTL was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 7D, where it explained between 7.7% and 50.6% of the phenotypic variation across different environments. This is a significant finding, as previous studies identified non-2NS resistance loci with typically small effects (less than 10%) and inconsistent performance. In contrast, Qwb.cim-7D is the first moderate-effect QTL to demonstrate stable resistance across multiple field conditions.
To facilitate its adoption in breeding pipelines, researchers successfully converted the flanking DArTseq markers into KASP markersâenabling more efficient marker-assisted selection.
Importantly, Qwb.cim-7D provides approximately half the resistance effect of 2NS, highlighting its value as a complementary resistance factor. When deployed through gene pyramiding strategies alongside 2NS and Rmg8, this new QTL could help breeders develop varieties with stronger and more durable resistance to the evolving wheat blast pathogen.
This breakthrough marks a turning point in global wheat blast resistance breeding. It addresses the urgent need to diversify the genetic basis of resistance and equips breeders with a viable new tool to safeguard wheat yields. As wheat blast continues to threaten food security in key regions, the introgression of Qwb.cim-7D into breeding programs offers a promising path toward enhanced crop resilience and improved farmer protection.
Extensive multi-year field trials conducted by CIMMYT in Mexico played a pivotal role in validating the efficacy of the Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) spray treatment, confirming its potential to boost wheat yields by up to 12%. Despite challenges posed by fluctuating rainfallâan increasingly common constraint under climate changeâCIMMYTâs trial plots consistently outperformed untreated controls across four consecutive crop cycles. These results underscore CIMMYTâs leadership in translating laboratory innovations into resilient, field-ready solutions that enhance food security while advancing sustainable agrifood systems in diverse agroecological conditions.
CIMMYT is pleased to announce the appointment of Flavio Breseghello as the new Director of the Global Wheat Program. A renowned wheat breeder and leader in agricultural research, Breseghello will guide CIMMYTâs flagship wheat initiative at a pivotal moment for global food security.Â
âCIMMYTâs wheat program has long been a cornerstone of global food security,â said Breseghello. âIâm honored to contribute to this legacy, while helping shape its future in the face of new challenges.âÂ
With over two decades of experience advancing wheat research in Brazil and internationally, Breseghello brings scientific expertise and strategic vision to the role. His appointment underscores CIMMYTâs commitment to science-driven innovation that responds to evolving global needsâparticularly in low- and middle-income countries where wheat is a staple crop and climate resilience is increasingly urgent.Â
âClimate change is reshaping the risks and realities for wheat farmers in low- and middle-income countries,â Breseghello said. âOur challengeâtogether with our partnersâis to stay ahead of these threats with science that is inclusive, adaptive, and driven by the needs of the most vulnerable.âÂ
CIMMYTâs Global Wheat Program is at the forefront of developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant wheat varieties that feed over 2.5 billion people around the world. As director, Breseghello will lead efforts to strengthen international research collaboration, expand capacity building, and ensure the programâs innovations reach those who need them most.Â
âFlavio is a globally respected leader whose deep experience and inclusive approach will be a tremendous asset to the program and to the global wheat community,â said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT. âWe are thrilled to welcome him to this vital role.âÂ
In Memory of Leonardo Crespo Herrera
Senior Scientist, Bread Wheat Improvement â Global Wheat Program
With great sadness, we share the news of the passing of Leonardo Crespo Herrera, senior scientist in the Global Wheat Program at CIMMYT. A brilliant researcher and deeply valued colleague, Leonardo leaves behind a legacy of excellence in wheat science and a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Leonardo joined CIMMYT in 2015 as a postdoctoral fellow, bringing with him an unwavering dedication to advancing wheat research for global food security. Over the next decade, his work helped shape the future of wheat breeding. As an Associate Scientist, he played a key role in leading breeding efforts, mentoring young scientists, and fostering collaboration with national and international partners.
His scientific contributions were extensive, and his research continues to benefit farming communities around the world. Those who wish to learn more about his work and its impact can explore a selection of his achievements:
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Leonardo was known for his warmth, generosity, and inclusive spirit. He made others feel welcome and supported. Colleagues remember him not only as an exceptional scientist, but also as a kind-hearted, trusted mentor, loyal friend, and inspiring leader.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and admired him. Leonardoâs legacy will continue to grow through the lives he touched and the science he so passionately advanced.
Dr. Rosichan joins IWYP after 30 years as an R&D leader in both the private and public sectors. During that time, he led complex multinational, multidisciplinary and multifunctional research teams. Most recently he was Scientific Program Director for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) where he was the Director for the Crops of the Future Consortium and Next Generation Crops Challenge Area. He will continue to reside in the USA.
BBSRC has provided the consultancy position in recognition of the valuable achievements of IWYP in serving the wheat scientific community over these past 10 years during which IWYP has been funded and guided by numerous governmental funding agencies and private sector wheat breeding companies.
IWYP’s strong links are with scientists studying yield-related wheat traits all over the world as well as with many breeding programs, public and private. IWYP’s mission is to serve breeding programs, especially through its Hubs in CIMMYT, Mexico, Kansas State University in the USA and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in the UK, by delivering trait-improved elite germplasm.
Senior representatives from CIMMYT visited the John Innes Centre to strengthen their strategic partnership focused on advancing global wheat research. Key collaborative efforts include the Wheat Disease Early Warning Advisory System (DEWAS) and research on genetic resistance to wheat blast. CIMMYTâs Director General, Dr. Bram Govaerts, emphasized the long-standing partnershipâs global impact, noting that around 70% of the worldâs wheat is linked to CIMMYTâs network. Dr. Sarah Hearne, Chief Science and Innovation Officer, highlighted the shared commitment to providing sustainable solutions that enhance farmersâ resilience and productivity worldwide.
Building on the success of their initial project, CropSustaiN, CIMMYT and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are proud to announce an expanded partnership aimed at tackling agricultureâs biggest challenges. This enhanced collaboration will broaden efforts to transform farming practices, reduce environmental impacts, and support farmers worldwide.
From specific solutions to a broader vision:
The initial partnership focused on developing innovative wheat varieties through Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI), significantly reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers. Now, this expanded collaboration sets a foundation for exploring a wider range of initiatives, including:
Climate-smart crop systems with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Advanced agricultural technologies for greater resilience and sustainability.
Inclusive tools to empower farmers globally.
Bram Govaerts, CIMMYTâs director general, said:
“This partnership exemplifies how collaboration and science can transform agriculture, addressing both food security and environmental sustainability on a global scale.”
This next phase reflects a shared commitment to creating a sustainable future by turning scientific innovation into actionable, real-world impact for millions of farmers worldwide.
Perth, Australia â September 24, 2024 â Esteemed Professor Matthew Reynolds, Head of Wheat Physiology at CIMMYT, will deliver a pivotal plenary at the International Wheat Congress, centering on enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in wheat through the integration of complex traits by combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence with genetic diversity. This significant session promises to contribute valuable insights towards addressing the pressing global challenge of food security.
Pioneering Research to Future-Proof Wheat
Crop yield depends on a myriad of traits that interact across various dimensions such as growth stage, plant architecture, and growing environment. Until now, the complexity of these interactions has impeded precision breeding for traits like abiotic stress tolerance, input use efficiency, and yield potential. However, recent advancements in AI, remote sensing, and gene sequencing are making more deterministic breeding feasible.
In his presentation, Professor Reynolds will introduce a series of wiring diagrams representing trait interactions over time for wheat. These diagrams, based on empirical data and crop models, will serve as a framework for AI-assisted simulations to explore different breeding strategies. This innovative approach enables the genetic control of complex traits, allowing for more resilient wheat varieties that can withstand environmental stresses.
Collaborative Efforts Driving Innovation
This initiative is a collaboration between CIMMYT, the University of Florida, University of Queensland, and Wageningen University. The goal is to leverage advanced technologies to combine complex genetic traits in wheat, improving its tolerance to drought, heat, and poor soil conditions. This research holds significant promise for farmers worldwide, ensuring stable yields even under challenging growing conditions.
Impact and Benefits
Global Food Security: By developing high-yielding, climate-resilient wheat varieties, this research contributes to global food security, particularly benefiting farmers in South Asia and Africa.
Environmental Sustainability: Innovative research in Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) addresses nitrogen pollution and enhances nitrogen use efficiency in wheat, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Disease Resistance: Advanced breeding techniques are being employed to develop wheat varieties resistant to devastating diseases like wheat rust, protecting yields and ensuring food security.
“By combining cutting-edge AI and genetic diversity, we are future-proofing wheat to thrive in challenging environments,” said Professor Matthew Reynolds.
The session will take place during Plenary Session 4 on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 8:30 am to 8:50 am at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
About CIMMYT
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrowâs problems today. By fostering improved production systems for maize, wheat, and other cereals through applied agricultural science, CIMMYT enhances the livelihoods and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working towards a productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.
A new study by CIMMYT, published in Global Change Biology, reveals that ancient wild relatives of wheat, which have adapted to extreme environmental conditions for millions of years, could be key to securing our future food supply. These wild varieties offer valuable genetic traits that can help modern wheat resist diseases, build climate resilience, and reduce agricultural emissions, making them essential for adapting to increasingly challenging growing conditions.
CIMMYT, Mexico, August 27, 2024 â Crop wild relatives that have survived changing climates for millions of years may provide the solution to adapting wheat, humanity’s most widely grown crop, to climate change. Two new studies led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) reveal how tapping into this ancient genetic diversity can revolutionize wheat breeding and safeguard global food security.
As the weather becomes more erratic and extreme, wheat â providing 20% of all calories and protein globally and serving as the primary staple food for 1.5 billion people in the Global South â faces unprecedented threats. These include heat waves, delayed rains, flooding, and new pests and diseases.
“We’re at a critical juncture,” says Dr. Matthew Reynolds, co-author of both studies. “Our current breeding strategies have served us well, but they must now address more complex challenges posed by climate change.”
The research points to a vast, largely untapped reservoir of nearly 800,000 wheat seed samples stored in 155 genebanks worldwide. These include wild relatives and ancient, farmer-developed varieties that have withstood diverse environmental stresses over millennia. Although only a fraction of this genetic diversity has been utilized in modern crop breeding, it has already delivered significant benefits.
Photo CIMMYT: Wheat diversity spikes
Proven impacts of wild wheat genes
One of the studies, a review published today in Global Change Biology (GCB)*, documents the immense impact of wild relativesâ traits, including on environmental sustainability. It finds that the cultivation of disease-resistant wheat varieties has avoided the use of an estimated 1 billion liters of fungicide just since 2000.
âWithout transferring disease-resistant genes from wild relatives to wheat, fungicide use would have easily doubled, harming both human and environmental health,â says Dr. Susanne Dreisigacker, Molecular Breeder at CIMMYT and co-author of the review.
Sharing of new wheat breeding lines through the CIMMYT-led International Wheat Improvement Network, comprising hundreds of partners and testing sites around the world, increases productivity worth USD 11 billion of extra grain every year. The extra productivity has saved millions of hectares of forests and other natural ecosystems from cultivation.
The review highlights other key breakthroughs using wheat wild relatives, including:
Some experimental wheat lines incorporating wild traits show up to 20% more growth under heat and drought conditions compared to current varieties.
Genes from a wheat wild relative have generated the first crop ever bred to interact with soil microbes, reducing the production of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, and enabling the plants to use nitrogen more efficiently.
New, high-yielding cultivars in Afghanistan, Egypt and Pakistan were developed using wild genes and have been released as they are more robust to the warming climate.
âBreeding the first beneficial interaction with the soil microbiome â in this case biological nitrification inhibition, or BNI-wheat â is a landmark achievement by CIMMYT and JIRCAS, opening up a whole new spectrum of opportunities to boost cropping systemsâ resilience and reduce environmental footprints,â says Victor Kommerell, co-author of the GCB review, and Director of CropSustaiN, a new research initiative to determine the global climate mitigation and food security potential of BNI wheat.
The second study in Nature Climate Change* showcases the urgent need to scale-up exploration and use of genetic diversity for improved climate resilience. Among the traits needed are deeper, more extensive root systems for better water and nutrient access; photosynthesis that performs well across a wider temperature range; better heat tolerance in reproductive processes; and improved survival during delayed rains or temporary flooding.
âTapping into the complex climate-resilient traits so urgently needed today requires both access to greater genetic diversity and a paradigm shift in breeding approaches,â explains co-author of the GCB review, Dr. Julie King of Nottingham University.
Modern crop breeding has focused on a relatively narrow pool of âstar athletesâ: elite crop varieties that are already high performers and that have known, predictable genetics. In contrast, the genetic diversity of wild wheat relatives offers complex climate-resilient traits â but their use has been more time-consuming, costly and riskier than traditional breeding approaches with elite varieties. Now, new technologies have changed that equation.
Making the impossible possible
“We have the tools to quickly explore genetic diversity that was previously inaccessible to breeders,” explains Dr. Benjamin Kilian, co-author of the review and coordinator of the Crop Trustâs Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development (BOLD) project that supports conservation and use of crop diversity globally.
Among these tools are next-generation gene sequencing, big-data analytics, and remote sensing technologies, including satellite imagery. The latter allows researchers to routinely monitor traits like plant growth rate or disease resistance at unlimited numbers of sites globally.
However, realizing the full potential of these genetic resources will require global cooperation. “The most significant impacts will come through widespread sharing of genetic resources and technologies,” says Dr. Kilian.
New technologies allow crop researchers to precisely identify and transfer beneficial traits from wild relatives, making what has been seen as a risky, time-consuming process into a targeted, efficient strategy for climate-proofing crops. âSatellite technology turns the planet into a laboratory,â says Dr. Reynolds, âCombined with artificial intelligence to super-charge crop-breeding simulations, we can identify whole new solutions for climate resilience.â
This research, which also applies to any crop with surviving wild relatives, promises to enhance global food security and make cropping systems more environmentally sustainable. Developing more resilient and efficient wheat varieties will help feed a global population while reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.
Photo CIMMYT: Wheat diversity spikes
Study information and links
*Wheat genetic resources have avoided disease pandemics, improved food security, and reduced environmental footprints: A review of historical impacts and future opportunities. King J, Dreisigacker S, Reynolds M et al., 2024. Global Change Biology (Study available under embargo upon request)
*New wheat breeding paradigms for a warming climate. Xiong, W., Reynolds, M.P., Montes, C. et al. Nat. Clim. Chang. (2024). Â https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02069-0
Note to editors
About CIMMYT
Headquartered in Mexico, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT) is a not-for-profit agriculture research and training organization. The center works to reduce poverty and hunger by sustainably increasing the productivity of maize and wheat cropping systems in the developing world. Learn more at staging.cimmyt.org
About the Crop Trust
The Crop Trust is an international organization working to conserve crop diversity and protect global food and nutrition security. At the core of the Crop Trust is an endowment fund dedicated to providing guaranteed long-term financial support to key genebanks worldwide. The Crop Trust supports the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and coordinates large-scale projects worldwide to secure crop diversity and make it available for use, globally forever and for the benefit of everyone. The Crop Trust is recognized as an essential element of the funding strategy of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Learn more at www.croptrust.org
About the Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development (BOLD) Project
BOLD is a 10-year project to strengthen food and nutrition security worldwide by supporting the conservation and use of crop diversity. The project works with national genebanks, pre-breeding and seed system partners globally. Funded by the Government of Norway, BOLD is led by the Crop Trust in partnership with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and the International Plant Treaty.
Wheat breeding strategies for increased climate resilience
With the challenges of climate change already affecting plant breeding, especially warmer days and warmer nights, the time to future proof the worldâs food supply is now. In order to make the best-informed changes, scientists at CIMMYT ran simulations mimicking five scenarios that might play out over the next 70+ years.
The researchers used 3,652 breeding line records from six global nurseries administered by the International Wheat Improvement Network, which is coordinated by CIMMYT, and involves hundreds of partners and testing sites worldwide. Researchers ran the data through five different climate change scenarios, ranging from stable to severe.
Along with colleagues from Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China, ICARDA, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, CIMMYT scientists published their research in Nature Climate Change.
The results showed that less than one-third of wheat varieties adapted well to the warming the planet has already seen in the last 10 years. As temperatures increased in the simulation, researchers found a clear connection between rising temperatures and lower stability for a variety. As the global wheat-growing area becomes warmer and experiences more frequent heatwaves, breeding programs have to look beyond just yield optimization.
âStability is key for breeding programs and farmers,â said co-lead author Matthew Reynolds, CIMMYT distinguished scientist and head of wheat physiology. âKnowing that a specific variety works well in a specific environment and produces an expected amount of yield allows farmers better plan their crop futures.â
âWe performed the analysis from different perspectives, so that climate effects and appropriate adjustment suggestions for current breeding models can be considered from climate change, gene selection and/or geneâenvironment interaction perspectives,â said co-lead author Wei Xiong, CIMMYT Senior Scientist and Agricultural System Modeler.
The paradox of breeding elite lines
Local and regional breeding programs, as well as targeted breeding by CIMMYT, contribute to gene pools that overlap for many key agronomic traits, which limit genetic diversity.
âIt is an unintended consequence,â said Reynolds. âAs conventional breeding focuses on crossing the best and elite material, such focus can actually reduce genetic diversity.â
This âparadoxâ shows the need to increase genetic variability and environmental diversification in breeding programs that are developing higher-yielding climate-resilient cultivars. Breeding programs also need to target traits associated with improved adaptation to increased temperatures and tolerance to heatwaves, which requires multidisciplinary integration.
Looking to the past for answers
Over the past 10,000 years, the climate has been unusually stable, meaning modern, domesticated bread wheat has not been exposed to wide swings in temperature that are forecast for the next 100 years. Wild wheat relatives, like Triticeae, have had millions of years of experience in weathering changing climates.
CIMMYT has a pre-breeding program that examines wild wheat races and more exotic sources for climate resilience traits. When such traits are identified genetically, new breeding techniques such as gene editing can be employed and breeding models refined.
To activate these new techniques, several barriers need to be overcome, including more sharing of germplasm between countries and breeding teams, the use of faster breeding cycles where appropriate and improved understanding of genes that improve heat tolerance without a yield penalty.
With reduced climate resilience and slow cultivar development, the need to increase genetic variability for climate adaptation is urgent, particularly in developing countries, where warming rate is unprecedented, and breeding cycles tend to be longer than in developed countries.
âFaced with more climate variability, breeders need to revisit their breeding strategies to integrate genetic diversity that confers climate resilience without penalties to productivity,â said Reynolds.
In a discussion on the future of crop breeding at the Cereals seminar, experienced wheat breeder Bill Angus highlighted CIMMYT as a leading example of effective global crop breeding, particularly for regions with limited agricultural inputs. He emphasized that while the UK has a competitive wheat breeding environment, it could learn from CIMMYT’s approach, which successfully develops wheat varieties suited for the developing world, where farmers often lack the luxury of chemical inputs. Angus advocated for the UK to adopt a more impactful and globally engaged breeding strategy, drawing inspiration from CIMMYT’s successes.
CIMMYT proudly announces that Distinguished Scientist and Head of Wheat Physiology, Matthew Reynolds, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 International Crop Science Award by the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA). Reynolds has advanced CIMMYTâs mission by promoting global partnerships that strengthen plant science, expand the centerâs international reach, and provide young scientists with opportunities to engage in agricultural research.
Revolutionizing wheat breeding for climate resilience
Reynolds develops wheat breeding technologies aimed at improving climate resilience and the productivity of wheat cropping systems. His research has unveiled the physiological bases of yield potential and abiotic stress resistance in wheat. Reynolds’s efforts reveal the genetic underpinnings of complex traits, facilitating the development of hardier wheat varieties from diverse gene pools.
Global collaboration and impact
Reynolds promotes international collaboration among wheat scientists. He leads key initiatives such as the International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP) and the Heat and Drought Wheat Improvement Consortium (HEDWIC). These collaborations leverage collective expertise and have resulted in significant outputs, including high-yield lines tested at approximately 200 sites globally, which confirm innovative routes to enhanced yields and climate resilience.
Mentorship and educational contributions
Reynolds’s laboratory at CIMMYT is a hub for mentoring young scientists. He has provided open-access manuals on phenotyping, translated into four languages, to support global research efforts. His extensive publication record covers crop physiology, genomics, and pre-breeding. Since 2018, Reynolds has consistently ranked in the top 1% of researchers in his field by Web of Science. In 2024, Matthew Reynolds also received the Research.com Plant Science and Agronomy in Mexico Leader Award for placing 53rd in the world and 1st in Mexico.
International Crop Science Award
The International Crop Science Award recognizes creativity and innovation in transforming crop science practices, products, and programs on an international level. The award acknowledges scientists who have achieved global impact through long-lasting knowledge generation that strengthens international crop science.
For more information on the 2024 awards, including award descriptions, please visit CSSA Awards or contact awards@sciencesocieties.org.
CIMMYT, in collaboration with ICARDA and the CGIAR Initiative on Market Intelligence, has revised the market segmentation for spring wheat to align breeding efforts using a unified “crop view” approach. This initiative resolves duplication challenges, provides objective crop prioritization, and aligns Target Product Profiles (TPPs) to meet the needs of farmers, consumers, and processors. By establishing a consistent application of eight market segmentation criteria, the effort standardizes the process and lays a foundation for future discussions on market segment prioritization and TPP alignment, ensuring all relevant market requirements are prioritized in breeding programs.
Mentorship and educational contributions