CGIAR Research Program on Wheat (WHEAT)
Joining advanced science with field-level research and extension in lower- and middle-income countries, the CGIAR Research Program on Wheat (WHEAT) works with public and private organizations worldwide to raise the productivity, production and affordable availability of wheat for 2.5 billion resource-poor producers and consumers who depend on the crop as a staple food.
WHEAT is led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) as a primary research partner.
Funding for WHEAT comes from CGIAR and national governments, foundations, development banks and other public and private agencies, in particular the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Breaking Ground: Mandeep Randhawa fights wheat diseases using genetic resistance tools
Capacity development
CIMMYT wheat scientist explores new sources of rust resistance to create new rust-resistant wheat varieties.
New publications: Durum wheat selection under zero tillage increases early vigor and is neutral to yield
Innovations
Researchers demonstrate that CIMMYT’s durum wheat lines can be grown, bred, and selected under zero tillage or conventional tillage conditions without negatively affecting yield.
What is wheat blast?
Nutrition, health and food security
Wheat blast is one of the most fearsome and intractable wheat diseases in recent decades. It spreads through infected seeds, crop residues as well as by spores that can travel long distances in the air, posing a major threat to wheat production in tropical areas.
Agricultural solutions to tackle humanity’s climate crisis
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Science offers opportunity to curb greenhouse gas emissions related to agriculture and meet climate goals.
New mobile technology to help farmers improve yields and stabilize incomes
Innovations
The COMPASS smartphone phone app uses data from farmers and from satellites to provide precise crop management advice.
Healthy diets feature both whole- and refined-grain foods, new study shows
Nutrition, health and food security
Review indicates positive health impacts from diverse diets that include not more than 50% carbohydrates and the right mix of grain-based foods.
CIMMYT wheat scientists receive top honors from US agricultural scientists
Innovations
Hans-Joachim Braun and Alexey Morgunov receive awards and fellowships at annual meeting of crop science peers.
Thomas Payne honored at gathering of crop science peers
Innovations
Head of CIMMYT Wheat Germplasm Bank receives Frank N. Meyer Medal for contributions to germplasm collection, conservation and use.
Scientists develop an early warning system that delivers wheat rust predictions directly to farmers’ phones
Innovations
New research describes a revolutionary early warning system that can predict and mitigate wheat rust diseases in Ethiopia.
It’s time to change the system, not just the technology
Innovations
Changing farming technologies requires systemic change, argues Lennart Woltering in new article.
A fresh look at the genes behind grain weight in spring bread wheat
Innovations
New study provides an extensive field-test validation of existing genetic markers for thousand grain weight; finds both surprises and promising results.
Study proposes alternative to conventional technology adoption research in smallholder agriculture
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
An alternative conceptual framework uses a process-oriented approach to understand technological change that focuses more on the agency of different social actors in the agricultural system.
Bottlenecks between basic and applied plant science jeopardize life-saving crop improvements
Innovations
Bottlenecks between basic and applied plant science jeopardize life-saving crop improvements.
Extensive use of wild grass-derived “synthetic hexaploid wheat” adds diversity and resilience to modern bread wheat
Innovations
New study shows that improved bread wheat varieties obtained from crosses of durum wheat and goat grass are helping to ensure the crop’s future.
Global group of journalists find wheat research, comradery in Canada
Capacity development
WHEAT media sponsorship connects scientists and reporters at International Wheat Congress.