To deliver wheat varieties that are more resilient, productive, and aligned with market and producer demands, significant progress has been made in strengthening both pre-breeding and breeding pipelines. Between 2021 and 2024, over 7000 single rows and 2000 plots were screened across the field trial sites to evaluate local and international wheat accessions. This effort focused on identifying high-performing germplasm with adaptability, yield potential, and resistance to production constraints such as drought and disease.
A key activity under this objective involved characterising Wheat Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs). Wheat Crop Wild Relatives are the undomesticated species that are genetically related to cultivated wheat, particularly from the Triticum and Aegilops genera. These wild species have evolved in diverse environments and often retain valuable traits that have been lost in modern wheat varieties, such as salt tolerance, floral fertility, and the ability to cross with cultivated lines. A total of 112 entries from 19 species were characterised using internationally recognised descriptors, with two Triticum turgidum accessions showing strong potential as crossing parents. Additional work explored local wild species like Thinopyrum distichum and Secale strictum subsp. africanum, revealing further valuable traits and broadening the diversity available for wheat breeding. This work has laid a solid foundation for incorporating new resilience traits into South African wheat varieties.
Breeding activities have been advanced through targeted crossing programmes, which used an innovative MS-MARS system to develop and evaluate hybrid lines. Promising lines have progressed to yield trials, with some outperforming commercial cultivars. Marker-assisted selection further improved breeding precision by applying standardised molecular markers and KASP technology to traits like yield and disease resistance. practical application was ensured through the distribution of promising germplasm, with 796 high-potential genotypes shared with Syngenta, Corteva, and ARC-SG since 2021. In 2024, selected genotypes were packaged for machine sowing and evaluation, bringing the programme closer to delivering improved, locally adapted cultivars that respond directly to evolving producer and market needs.