Farmers have placed rooting ability at the top of their priority list for future crop breeding efforts, according to results from a poll by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN).
Conducted at various events, the ‘Wellies of Wisdom’ poll, asked: “If precision breeding could introduce any of the following traits to crops, which would be most important to you?”
Rooting ability came out on top, followed closely by pest and disease tolerance/resistance and nutrient use efficiency. Together, these results reveal a clear farmer focus on crop resilience, soil health and reducing inputs says BOFIN managing director Tom Allen-Stevens.
“These results also send a strong message – farmers are looking for practical traits that deliver real benefits above and below ground, improving both their resilience and their bottom line.”
The poll is part of BOFIN’s PROBITY project. “In the first year of PROBITY trials, we’ll be growing varieties developed through a technique called TILLING to assess traits also being introduced by gene editing,” Tom explained. “Two of these varieties show enhanced gravitropism which means they develop deeper roots that could make them more drought resilient.
“But we don’t know yet whether they are – these lines haven’t been tested in the field, and scientists need to know how this trait will perform before they can develop it further. We’re particularly keen to work with growers in drought-prone areas to really put these deeper-rooting varieties to the test.”
For more information or to get involved visit; https://bofin.org.uk
