Wheat’s on Your Mind: Wheat Breeding - Feeding the Future
The Official Podcast for Kansas Wheat
Hosted by Aaron Harries
In this episode, Aaron Harries had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Guorong Zhang, a dedicated wheat breeder at Kansas State University. Dr. Zhang's journey from a small farm in China to a leading role in wheat breeding in the U.S. showcases his commitment to agricultural innovation. With a PhD in plant breeding and experience in biofuel and sweet cherry breeding, he has made significant contributions to improving wheat varieties, focusing on yield, disease resistance, and climate adaptation.
Episode Summary
We discuss the challenges of wheat production in western Kansas, the goals of Dr. Zhang's breeding program, and the advanced technologies being utilized to enhance wheat varieties.
Key Insights
- Dr. Zhang emphasizes the importance of yield improvement and disease resistance in his breeding objectives.
- He highlights the role of collaboration with local farmers and institutions in enhancing breeding efforts.
- Advanced techniques like double haploids and drone technology are revolutionizing the breeding process.
- Dr. Zhang shares insights on the impact of climate change on wheat production and the need for drought-tolerant varieties.
- He discusses the challenges posed by evolving diseases and the importance of ongoing research.
- Listeners will learn about notable wheat varieties developed under his program, including Joe and KS Dallas.
- Dr. Zhang's future directions include exploring GMO and gene editing to enhance wheat resilience.