Advances in Hybrid Wheat Development

By Scout Nelson

Hybrid wheat has long been a topic of interest among researchers and agricultural experts. Recent advancements, including a breakthrough by Corteva, have renewed hope for improved yields, drought resistance, and agronomic benefits. However, challenges in cost and seed production remain key barriers to commercial adoption.

One major obstacle is wheat’s natural self-pollination process. “Wheat is a perfect and complete flower,” said Amanda Easterly, Research Associate Professor at the UNL High Plains Ag Lab. “Methods to prevent self-pollination are often costly, whether they rely on genetic or chemical approaches.”

Universities, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Texas A&M, have been testing hybrid wheat since 2014. Results from Nebraska trials in 2016 and 2017 showed promising yield benefits, particularly under stress conditions like drought and heat.

Private companies have also explored hybrid wheat, with Bayer, BASF, and Syngenta leading past initiatives. However, high costs have led to the closure of several programs. In the 1990s, Monsanto’s HybriTech introduced hybrid wheat in Nebraska under the “Quantum” brand, but adoption was limited due to high seed prices.

The concept of heterosis, where hybrids outperform their parent varieties, has driven success in corn. “Heterosis is a situation in which the hybrid performs better, and preferably way better, than either of the parents used to create it,” Easterly explained. However, genetic similarities among wheat varieties have limited the expression of heterosis.

Scaling up hybrid wheat production presents another challenge. While researchers can test new hybrids with minimal seed, commercial adoption requires significant seed quantities, increasing costs for both researchers and growers.

Corteva’s recent hybrid wheat breakthrough has sparked industry interest. “It will be interesting to see how their innovations impact research and the market,” Easterly said. Hybrid wheat could lead to further advancements in wheat breeding, potentially revolutionizing the industry.

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