Developing Net Zero Wheat Varieties

小麦(Triticum Aestivum)是世界各地种植的一种主要作物，产量为7亿吨/年(粮农组织2018年统计数据)，占西方人饮食中蛋白质的23%。我们目前的高投入小麦生产体系成本高昂，对农民(化肥价格自2019年以来翻了一番)和环境都是如此。田间应用的合成氮肥主要是通过Haber-Bosch过程产生的，该过程释放出大量温室气体(GHGs)。此外，在作物上施用氮肥可能会导致渗滤液中氮的进一步损失，导致水生生态系统的扩散污染和富营养化，或者通过挥发(如NH3)，特别是温室气体N2O而损失。当务之急是解决这个问题，使用一种结合了农学、环境和遗传专业知识的方法。为了确保减少与英国高质量小麦生产相关的碳足迹，必须在再生农业实践下对新品种进行各级评估(包括对环境的影响)。这一目标与我们的工业合作伙伴塞恩斯伯里的承诺一致，即将其碳足迹减少30%。因此，在不影响产量或谷物质量的情况下，将改良小麦品种与减少氮素需求相结合，不仅将减少一种强有力的温室气体的排放，还有助于降低生产成本和稳定粮食价格。

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a major crop grown worldwide, with >700 million tonnes produced/year (FAO stat 2018) accounting for up to 23% of protein in western people's diet. Our current high-input wheat production systems are highly costly, both to the farmers (fertiliser prices have >doubled since 2019) and to the environment. Synthetic N fertilisers applied on field are primarily generated through the Haber-Bosch process, which releases high level of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In addition, the application of N fertiliser to the crop can lead to further loss of N either in leachate, leading to diffuse pollution and eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems, or be lost through volatilisation (e.g.NH3) and especially the greenhouse gas N2O . It is imperative to address this, using an approach that combines agronomic, environmental, and genetic expertise. To ensure that the carbon footprint associated with high-quality wheat production in the UK can be reduced, new cultivars must be assessed at all levels (including their environmental impact) under regenerative agriculture practises. This aim is aligned with the commitment of our industrial partner, Sainsbury's, to reducing its carbon footprint by 30%. The combination of improved wheat varieties, without compromising yield or grain quality and reduced N requirements will thus not only reduce emissions of a potent greenhouse gas but also helps reduce costs of production and stabilizing food prices.