Institut für Resistenzforschung und Stresstoleranz
Against the backdrop of rising atmospheric CO₂ levels and increasing climate variability, the question arises as to whether and how—in addition to stable wheat yields—wheat quality in particular can be maintained under future climatic conditions. As atmospheric CO2 levels rise, an increase in plant biomass and wheat grain yields is expected; however, protein content simultaneously decreases due to increased carbon uptake and a concurrent reduction in the conversion of nitrate-N into leaf protein. Increasing climate variability, as well as heat and drought, also complicate crop management tailored to specific needs. Higher N applications to increase protein content would be counterproductive for climate and environmental protection reasons. Targeted climate adaptation must therefore necessarily be achieved through appropriate variety selection and site-optimized cultivation decisions in the context of climate change. The aim of the project is therefore to maintain the protein supply from wheat, which exhibits high protein content and baking quality even under altered climatic conditions such as higher CO2 concentrations and increasing drought. To this end, comprehensive studies of the climate impacts on wheat quality, particularly protein yield, as well as the development and evaluation of site-optimized adaptation measures—especially variety selection—for future wheat production under climate change in Germany are being conducted. The project’s central questions are therefore whether, in which growing regions, and under what conditions high protein yields can continue to be achieved in German wheat production in the future, and what specific adaptation measures can be implemented to ensure sustainable wheat protein production under climate change.
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity
