Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts, and reduce the availability of irrigation water in many parts of the world.[i] Breeding drought-tolerant crops is thus essential for agriculture to adapt to climate change. Scientists have identified rich genetic diversity for drought tolerance within the wild progenitor of durum wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, and populations of this species and other wheat wild relatives are thus predicted to be a valuable resource for breeding wheat varieties that are more resilient and adapted to drought conditions.[ii]
-
About CWRMore about Crop Wild Relatives
Crop wild relatives are the wild ‘cousins’ of our cultivated crops. In the same way that the wolf is related to the dog, CWR are related to our food plants.
-
The ProjectMore about the project
The project Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: “Collecting, Protecting and Preparing Crop Wild Relatives” aims to collect important species of crop wild relatives, ensure their long-term conservation, and facilitate their use in breeding new, improved crops.
-
ResourcesSee all our resources
This Project has led to the development of a number of tools and resources for people interested in collecting, conserving and using crop wild relatives in breeding.
- News
Global Crop Diversity Trust
Platz Der Vereinten Nationen 7
53113 Bonn, Germany
Newsletter
