In the quest to accelerate crop breeding and meet the growing demands of global agriculture, researchers have turned to innovative techniques like speed breeding (SB). A recent study published in the journal ‘Plants’ has shed new light on how manipulating light conditions can significantly enhance the efficiency of speed breeding in durum wheat. The research, led by Valeriya M. Nagamova from the All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology in Moscow, explores the impact of varying red/far-red (R/FR) light ratios on the growth and productivity of durum wheat under speed breeding conditions.
Speed breeding is a promising alternative to conventional breeding methods, which are often time-consuming and low-throughput. By optimizing light conditions, researchers aim to further expedite the breeding process, ultimately benefiting the agriculture sector with faster crop development and improved yields. The study investigated the effects of three different R/FR ratios (6.6, 1.0, and 0.4) on wheat plants grown on three substrates: peat, soil mixture, and mineral wool.
The findings revealed that reducing the R/FR ratio significantly accelerated the flowering time of durum wheat. The most substantial reduction was observed under the lowest R/FR ratio (0.4), which shortened the time to flowering by 4.1–4.2 days. This acceleration was found to be dependent on the type of substrate used, with the most pronounced effects seen in plants grown on mineral wool.
However, the acceleration in flowering came with a trade-off. The study noted a concurrent negative impact on spike productivity, including the vegetative weight of dried spikes, the number of spikelets, and the number of grains per spike. “While the reduction in R/FR ratio significantly speeds up the flowering process, it also affects the overall productivity of the spikes,” explained Nagamova. “This is an important consideration for breeders who need to balance speed and yield in their breeding programs.”
Despite the negative impact on spike productivity, the study found a positive correlation between the duration of the sowing-to-flowering period and certain spike productivity components, such as spike length and the number of grains per spike. Additionally, increasing the proportion of far-red light enhanced the 1000-grain weight and did not affect the germination rate or regenerative capacity of the wheat plants.
The research suggests that modifying speed breeding conditions for durum wheat by adding far-red light (R/FR = 0.4) is a useful strategy for increasing its efficiency. The negative impact of far-red light on spike productivity can be mitigated by adjusting mineral nutrition, offering a potential solution for breeders looking to optimize their speed breeding programs.
The implications of this research are significant for the agriculture sector. By fine-tuning light conditions, breeders can accelerate the development of new wheat varieties, ultimately leading to faster crop improvement and increased yields. This study not only highlights the potential of speed breeding but also underscores the importance of understanding the underlying physiological responses of plants to different light conditions.
As the agriculture sector continues to face the challenges of climate change and a growing global population, innovative techniques like speed breeding will play a crucial role in ensuring food security. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into how light manipulation can enhance the efficiency of speed breeding, paving the way for future developments in crop breeding and agriculture.