In the heart of Ethiopia, where wheat fields stretch across diverse landscapes, a critical challenge looms: how to boost productivity while grappling with depleted soils and inefficient fertilizer use. This dilemma is the focus of a recent review published in ‘Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment’ (translated to English as ‘Agricultural Systems, Geosciences & Environment’), led by Tesfaye Geleta Aga of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research in Addis Ababa. The study delves into the complexities of wheat breeding for nutrient use efficiency (NUE), a crucial factor for sustainable agriculture and food security in the region.
Wheat is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s food security and economic development. Yet, despite expansions into various agro-ecological zones, productivity remains constrained by soil nutrient depletion and low adoption of best agronomic practices. “Improving NUE is essential for sustainable agriculture, reducing production costs, and minimizing environmental impact,” explains Tesfaye Geleta Aga. This review highlights the need to develop cultivars with improved root systems and superior nutrient uptake and utilization, paving the way for more resilient and efficient wheat varieties.
The Ethiopian research systems have made notable strides, releasing high-yielding, stress-tolerant, and micronutrient-enriched wheat varieties. However, targeted breeding for NUE is still in its infancy. Recent progress includes breeding for acid and salt tolerance, and the identification of durum wheat genotypes with high nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency offers promising avenues for improvement. “Although we have made progress, challenges such as limited molecular techniques, inadequate infrastructure, and a narrow genetic base, particularly for bread wheat, impede our efforts,” notes Tesfaye Geleta Aga.
Yet, opportunities abound. Ethiopia boasts high genetic diversity, particularly in durum wheat, access to global germplasm sources, and diverse agro-ecological zones. Collaboration with international research organizations further enhances these prospects. By addressing these challenges and leveraging these opportunities, Ethiopia can significantly improve wheat breeding for nutrient efficiency, contributing to food security and sustainable wheat production under climate variability.
The implications of this research extend beyond Ethiopia, offering valuable insights for global wheat breeding programs. As climate variability continues to pose challenges, the development of nutrient-efficient wheat varieties becomes increasingly critical. This review not only highlights the current status and challenges but also outlines a roadmap for future advancements in wheat breeding, ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture in the face of a changing climate.