By Andi Anderson
Good news for farmers! Studying crops in locations with diverse weather patterns can lead to more reliable results when breeding for adaptability. A recent study by Iowa State University researchers found that testing crops in a wider range of conditions, from drought to heavy rain, helps identify adaptable varieties that can thrive in different environments.
This research, published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, focused on rice and sorghum crops grown in various locations across Asia and the United States. By analyzing data from several growing seasons, the team discovered that using four or more environments with diverse weather conditions led to more accurate predictions of a crop's adaptability.
"Our research has broad implications for climate change, sustainability, and precision agriculture," says Jianming Yu, lead author of the study. "By understanding how crops respond to different weather patterns, we can breed varieties that are more resilient to extreme weather events and changing climates."
The study also suggests that even two testing sites with significantly different weather conditions can be sufficient, as long as they offer diverse and extreme weather patterns. This finding provides valuable guidance for breeding programs, allowing them to optimize resource allocation and testing site selection.
Understanding phenotypic plasticity, the ability of plants to adjust their traits to different environments, is crucial for developing resilient crops. Yu and his team plan to continue their research, exploring existing field test results to further harness this potential.
This research holds promise for farmers facing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. By breeding more adaptable crops, farmers can ensure better yields and food security in the face of climate change.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-tlillico
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Weather