Identifying climate-resilient wheat for a warmer, high CO2 world

Wheat is a major contributor to Australias economy, with an export value of $11.4 billion in 2021/22. Climate change, including rising CO2 and temperature, is predicted to decrease national wheat production by 7.4-15.5% in the next 60 years (translating to grain industry losses of $843M-$1.767B). Elevated CO2 concentrations also reduce grain protein, iron and zinc levels, affecting the crop's nutritional value. This novel project aims to identify the plant traits that promote wheat yield and nutritional quality in a warmer, high-CO2 world. As well as generating breakthrough knowledge on the combined effects of these two climate factors on wheat, the research will benefit Australian breeding programs via early insights of which plant traits and wheat lines will promote high productivity and quality resilience when grown under changing climates. The projects basic research is a platform