Wheat germplasm for enhanced competition against black-grass (PhD)

The challenge

A dominance of autumn-sown arable crops and herbicide resistance mean black-grass has become a major headache for many farmers. At least 95% black-grass control is required to prevent populations increasing. A combination of non-chemical management approaches can deliver good levels of control, especially when combined with chemistry.

Crops compete with weeds to varying degrees. Competitive crops can contribute up to 25% black-grass control, according to research estimates. Some species are known to be more competitive than others (e.g. barley is more competitive than wheat). Management choices also influence a crop’s ability to compete with weeds (e.g. high seed rates, narrow row spacing and good seedbeds). Some varieties are relatively competitive, but this aspect is poorly understood, which limits variety-selection decisions and plant breeding.

The project

This studentship will establish a system to test the competitiveness of wheat against black-grass under controlled conditions. It will include screens of both elite and diverse wheat varieties to identify promising competitive lines. It will also identify extreme-performing parental lines for crossing. This will result in a plant population that will be exploited to map quantitative trail loci (QTL) associated with competitiveness. Simultaneously, promising lines will be tested for competitiveness against black-grass under outdoor conditions.
Ultimately, the work should identify new routes to competitiveness in wheat and assist with the definition of the genetic basis of this competitiveness.

The project will offer the student highly interdisciplinary training, spanning molecular genetics, plant physiology and eco-physiology, and bioinformatics, and through to agronomy and agricultural practice.

Student

Jed Clark, University of Leeds

Also...

Wheat germplasm for enhanced competition against black-grass  (short article, 2022)

At the 2024 Agronomy Conference, Jed Clark provided an update on his work. He has found variation in tolerance and suppression among crop lines, with rooting characteristics particularly interesting.

Watch the cereal genetics to battle black-grass presentation