APPGSTA MeetingJanuary 2015

An introduction to wheat

Wheat – the world’s third largest crop

Production(million tonnes)

Cropping area(million hectares)

Maize 982 159

Rice 744 162

Wheat 717 216

The origin and current distribution of wheat

T. urartu (AA)

T. tauschii (DD)

T. turgidum (AABB)

Ae. speltoides (BB)

T. spelta (AABBDD)T. aestivum (AABBDD)

A complex genome!

Species Genome type

Number of chromosomes

Number of genes

Man Diploid 46 20,000 – 25,000

Rice Diploid 24 37,500

Wheat Hexaploid 42 164,000 – 334,000

Wheat makes better bread !!

World production

UK Wheat production

UK wheat usage

1971/72 1984/85 2012/13

UK wheat produced 4.6mt 12.1mt 13.3mt

Wheat used by UK millers

4.9mt 4.8mt 5.1mt

UK wheat used by millers

1.7mt 3.0mt 3.7mt

% UK wheat used by millers

35% 62% 72%

Wheat end use is determined by hardness and protein content and

quality

UK Wheat types and classification

nabim Group 1

Reliable milling & bread making qualities

Higher protein (13%) of good quality, high HFN and SpW

7

nabim Group 2

Less reliable milling & bread making qualities

Higher protein (13%) of good quality, high HFN and SpW

11

nabim Group 3

Reliable biscuit making qualities

Lower protein, extensible but not elastic gluten 11

nabim Group 4

Minimal functionality, mainly used for feed

22

The challenges of increasing production

• Increasing world population

• Impact of changing weather patterns

• Competition with other crops (soya!)

• Changes in pest & disease impacts

• Trade and legislation

• Science not keeping up!

Thank you