© science photo/Adobe Stock As part of the interdisciplinary research consortium Breeding Innovations in Wheat for Resilient Cropping Systems (BRIWECS), HFFA Research contributed to a research study on the long-term impact of plant breeding on winter wheat resilience and productivity in Germany.
In response to increasing climate variability, changing agricultural policies, and the push towards sustainable food systems, the resilience of key staple crops such as winter wheat is under scrutiny. The BRIWECS project aims to assess how plant breeding has contributed to productivity, stability, and environmental performance over the past five decades, and how future breeding strategies can enhance crop system resilience.
Field trials across Germany test 220 wheat genotypes, representing the most significant varieties developed over the last 50 years. HFFA Research focuses on the economic and environmental implications of the breeder’s exemption—a legal mechanism that facilitates open access to genetic material among breeders. Our analysis explores whether varieties developed using this exemption differ in performance from those bred within a single institution.
Key elements of our work include:
Farm- and sector-level economic assessments of breeding strategies.
Analysis of how breeding influences key indicators such as yield, quality, plant health, and environmental outcomes.
Evaluation of food security impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity effects tied to breeding practices.
Published as a peer-review article in Frontiers in Plant Science, the findings will support:
Evidence-based policy on intellectual property frameworks in plant breeding.
Identification of trait combinations that enhance resilience and sustainability in wheat production.
Strategic guidance for breeding programs aimed at food security and climate adaptation.
