For most of our long history, humans have bred plants to meet our changing needs. Now, the stakes are even higher. With the climate changing fast and more mouths to feed than ever, plant breeding is arguably more important than it has ever been before. We’re looking to plant breeding to help our crops withstand immediate weather challenges like drought and heat, tackle rapidly spreading or changing pests or disease; and produce more when resource, whether that’s land, water or inputs, are limited.
Coming up on the Oct. 18 episode of Seed Speaks, we’re going to tackle a big topic: How can plant breeders breed for more climate resilient agriculture? We’ll dig into the kinds of stressors, both biotic and abiotic, that a changing climate is going to bring (and in some cases is already bringing), and discuss what resources, technologies and support plant breeders need to keep up. We’ll also talk opportunities, both on the plant side (such as opportunities for plants that mitigate emissions) and on the research end (opportunities for collaboration between companies and between nations).
We’re pleased to be joined this week by two guests who are renowned experts in the field of climate resilient agriculture.
Matthew Reynolds works near Mexico City as a distinguished scientist and head of wheat physiology at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). He’s author of a research study entitled: “Harnessing translational research in wheat for climate resilience”. One of Reynolds key roles has been developing global consortia to tackle the challenge of climate change.
Patrick Byre is a professor emeritus of plant breeding and genetics at Colorado State University. He has written several studies relating to the topic of climate resilient agriculture, including “Plant breeding for climate change: opportunities for adaptation and mitigation” and “Climate change impacts agricultural productivity and food security”. Byre’s most recent work has been as science communicator working with the USDA especially relating to plant genetic resources.
Make sure to tune in at 12 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Oct. 18 on Seed World U.S., Seed World Canada, Seed World Europe and the Alberta Seed Guide’s Facebook pages, Seed World U.S.’ LinkedIn page and Seed World Group’s YouTube page. Seed Speaks is also available on-demand via our websites following the live broadcast.
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