Wheat: Once a wild grass with low nutritional value, it has transformed into golden, plump ears that yield high-quality flour with excellent baking properties. Over thousands of years, selective breeding for traits beneficial to humans—and particularly plant breeding in recent decades—has made wheat a cornerstone crop for global food security. However, production is increasingly threatened by adverse environmental conditions and shrinking arable land, issues that are further exacerbated by climate change. At the same time, the growing global population demands further increases in food production, making advancements in plant breeding crucial.
My doctoral research focuses on the plant traits underlying yield increases achieved through breeding over the past 60 years. Together with my project partners, I analyze source-sink relationships within the plant, which influence yield formation throughout the growing season. We also consider adverse environmental conditions, such as drought stress and reduced nitrogen availability.
Thanks to the prize money from the International DLG Price, I had the opportunity to attend the International Wheat Congress in Perth in September 2024. With over 850 participants, scientists from around the world gathered to present their work. For me, it was a fantastic opportunity to meet experts in my field, reconnect with colleagues, and engage in stimulating discussions. Such events are essential in science—not only for presenting and debating research findings but also for gaining valuable insights for future research.
These interactions greatly benefited my doctoral project and provided me with a deeper understanding of Australian agriculture. Particularly in terms of how agriculture adapts to climate change, Australia offers invaluable lessons. Many scenarios that are becoming or will soon become realities in Germany are already part of everyday life there.
The differences between European, especially German, agriculture and Australian farming are striking. "Oversized" is an adjective that repeatedly came to mind during my journey, particularly when observing Australian agriculture. In agricultural regions, fields and pastures stretch to the horizon. In the southern hemisphere, I expected most farming schedules to shift by roughly six months due to the seasonal reversal. However, this is far from straightforward. For example, in Western Australia, extreme summer droughts combined with winter frosts present significant challenges for crop cultivation. Winter wheat sowing can vary by as much as three months, from April to June, depending on the severity of summer drought. The challenge lies in identifying the optimal timing for ear emergence and flowering to avoid frost damage during flowering and minimize yield losses. Primary breeding goals for winter wheat in Australia, besides yield, include frost tolerance during reproductive stages and long coleoptiles, enabling deeper sowing into moist soil layers for earlier planting. Another difference is the significantly lower target plant density of approximately 150 plants per square meter compared to Germany. Harvesting takes place between September and December, with wheat yields ranging from about 1.5 to 2.0 tons per hectare. Under such conditions, arable farming is only economically viable on large-scale farms with minimal input costs and well-planned risk management. As a result, site-specific variety development through plant breeding is crucial for ensuring successful crop production, especially in light of climate change.
After the International Wheat Congress, I had the chance to visit Australia's national science agency CSIRO in Canberra and the University of Queensland in Brisbane. At both institutions, I met with leading scientists in the fields of plant physiology, phenotyping and genotype-environment interactions. These visits significantly aided my research project while allowing me to establish valuable contacts for the future.
Traveling through Queensland in eastern Australia, I discovered yet another side of Australian agriculture. Here, perennial sugarcane dominates, with planting and harvesting occurring year-round. It was fascinating to see newly planted fields alongside ongoing harvests—an unfamiliar sight from a European perspective. Across Australia, farming often combines crop cultivation with livestock production. In Queensland, I observed this firsthand, with massive herds of cattle grazing on vast pastures stretching to the horizon. Among them, one might spot camels, sheep, and of course, kangaroos. Pastures often consist of steppe-like areas or forests.
Beyond the professional experiences I gained in Australia, I must mention the wonderful personal experiences I had during my time there. Australians are incredibly friendly people, and the breathtaking nature and discoveries I encountered left me repeatedly amazed and inspired. Overall, this was an unforgettable journey for which I am deeply grateful.