Modern wheat varieties rely heavily on a single class of genes that keep plants short and prevent them from falling over

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $618,000 to the University of California, Davis on April 1, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI, CFDA 10.310) to develop wheat varieties that remain short and lodging-resistant while growing more vigorously and efficiently under stressful conditions. The project introduces alternative plant height genes into well-adapted wheat varieties and tests them under field conditions, including drought and low-fertilizer scenarios. The work employs DNA-based markers, gene editing, and drone-based field monitoring to measure plant growth, stress tolerance, yield, and grain quality. By identifying wheat varieties that produce reliable harvests with fewer inputs, the project aims to provide farmers and breeders with options to reduce production costs while maintaining productivity. Work is performed in Davis, California, with a period of performance from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029. The award is classified as a Project Grant.

These genes are key to boosting food production decades ago, but they were designed for farming systems that rely on abundant water and fertilizer. Today, many farming regions face more frequent drought, rising input costs, and pressure to reduce fertilizer use. Under these conditions, current wheat varieties often grow slowly early in the season and produce fewer grains. As resource limitations continue to reshape agriculture, relying on the same old genetic solutions puts future food security and farm livelihoods at risk. Developing wheat varieties that can thrive with fewer inputs is essential not only for farmers but also for consumers, rural economies, and communities that depend on a stable and affordable food supply. This project addresses this challenge by developing new wheat varieties that remain short and lodging-resistant while growing more vigorously and efficiently under stressful conditions. Instead of relying on the same genes used for decades, the project will introduce alternative plant height genes into well-adapted wheat varieties and test them under field conditions, including drought and low-fertilizer conditions. Modern tools such as DNA-based markers, gene editing, and drone-based field monitoring will be used to efficiently measure plant growth, stress tolerance, yield, and grain quality. By identifying wheat varieties that can produce reliable harvests with fewer inputs, this work will provide farmers and breeders with new options to reduce production costs while maintaining productivity. Ultimately, the project aims to support farmers' livelihoods, strengthen food security, and ensure that wheat production remains competitive in global markets.