AAAS: "'Gold mine' of century-old wheat varieties could help breeders restore long lost traits." Modern commercialized wheat was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on crossing + selectively breeding a few key varieties known as 'landraces.' Unsurprisingly, ultimately this left us with high-yielding landraces vulnerable to disease, heat, and drought—and dependent on frequent, excessive applications of fertilizers.
Sustaining Ancient Wheat Varieties
AAAS: "'Gold mine' of century-old wheat varieties could help breeders restore long lost traits." Modern commercialized wheat was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on crossing + selectively breeding a few key varieties known as 'landraces.' Unsurprisingly, ultimately this left us with high-yielding landraces vulnerable to disease, heat, and drought—and dependent on frequent, excessive applications of fertilizers.