In the heart of Algeria, where the sun beats down on parched fields and rain is a fickle visitor, a group of scientists are working to ensure that one of the region’s staple crops can withstand the harsh realities of climate change. Led by Ridha Boudiar from the Biotechnology Research Center in Constantine, a team has been delving into the roots of durum wheat, quite literally, to enhance its drought resilience.
Durum wheat is a vital crop in the Mediterranean basin, but its productivity is often hampered by the region’s semi-arid conditions. Boudiar and his team have been investigating how different varieties of durum wheat respond to drought, with a particular focus on the role of root architecture. Their findings, published in PeerJ, could have significant implications for the future of agriculture in the region and beyond.
The team evaluated 30 different durum wheat varieties, including both local landraces and modern cultivars, over two years with vastly different rainfall patterns. They found that while modern cultivars generally out-yielded landraces in wetter conditions, landraces showed a higher biomass under drought stress. This suggests that landraces may have adaptations that make them more resilient to dry conditions.
One of the most intriguing findings was the relationship between root traits and grain yield. “We found that a profuse and shallow root system was related to increased yield of modern cultivars only in the dry year,” Boudiar explains. This means that plants with more extensive but shallower root systems were better able to access water and nutrients in dry conditions, without compromising yield in wetter years.
The implications of this research are significant. As climate change continues to exacerbate drought conditions in many parts of the world, developing drought-resistant crops is becoming increasingly important. By understanding how root architecture contributes to drought resilience, breeders can develop new varieties that are better equipped to handle dry conditions.
Moreover, this research could have commercial impacts for the energy sector. Durum wheat is not only a staple food but also a potential feedstock for biofuels. Developing drought-resistant varieties could increase the reliability of biofuel production in semi-arid regions, contributing to energy security.
Looking ahead, Boudiar and his team are optimistic about the potential of their findings. “Breeding programs could improve grain yield under Algerian, semi-arid conditions, by making crosses between selected landraces with good growth potential under drought and modern cultivars, with high efficiency of biomass conversion into grain,” Boudiar says. This could lead to the development of new varieties that combine the best traits of both landraces and modern cultivars, paving the way for more resilient and productive agriculture in the face of climate change.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, research like this offers a beacon of hope. By delving into the roots of our crops, we may find the keys to a more sustainable and secure future.