By Scout Nelson
Dr. Guorong Zhang, a renowned wheat breeder at Kansas State University's Agricultural Research Center in Hays, recently featured on the "Wheat’s on Your Mind" podcast to discuss his advances in wheat breeding. With a robust background that began in Zhejiang Province, China, Zhang has evolved from focusing primarily on yield to incorporating broader goals like disease resistance and drought tolerance.
Since taking the helm of the Hays breeding program in 2012, Zhang has introduced several successful wheat varieties such as Joe, KS Dallas, and KS Bill Snyder. These varieties have become staples among Kansas wheat growers due to their yield potential and adaptability, with ongoing enhancements particularly in drought resistance.
Zhang's breeding strategies have been rigorously tested by Kansas' challenging weather conditions. A significant hailstorm in 2021, for example, destroyed much of his trial plots in Hays, underscoring the necessity for resilient crop varieties. His response has been to intensify focus on environmental and disease resilience, integrating innovative techniques like double haploid breeding and drone phenotyping. These methods have accelerated data collection, enabling faster and more effective breeding decisions.
The field testing of Zhang’s wheat lines spans eight locations across western Kansas, including sites managed directly by farmers. This extensive testing ensures that the varieties are well-adapted to real-world conditions, providing vital data that shapes future breeding objectives. Feedback from these field days is crucial, influencing the direction of new varietal developments.
Upcoming releases are anticipated to offer enhanced resistance to challenges like Triticum mosaic virus and wheat streak mosaic virus, alongside better drought tolerance. Collaborative efforts with institutions like Colorado State University also aim to address emerging threats such as the wheat stem sawfly, sharing insights and accelerating resistance traits for high-risk areas.
Dr. Zhang’s work epitomizes the dedication to advancing agricultural technology to benefit the farming community. By focusing on creating wheat varieties that offer better yield, disease resistance, and overall quality, he ensures that Kansas farmers have access to leading-edge solutions in crop cultivation.
Photo Credits:gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat