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14 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM heat is a crop that does not travel well. It needs significant local adaptation to succeed. As a consequence a major goal for wheat breeding in Europe is to develop varieties for all of the many sub-regions that exist. Whether it is spring or winter wheat the breadth of coverage possible with single varieties is limited although within a sub-region a variety can command high market shares if its performance is sufficiently superior to others. The next key criteria for breeding is the quality group that is being targeted since wheat has a very diverse usage ranging from animal feed to bakery products and also non- food products. The range of wheat-based products also varies by sub-region within Europe based on the market preferences for baked goods the industrial focus and on the ability to produce wheat crops with particular quality parameters protein content gluten content hectolitre weight etc. due to local environmental conditions. In addition legislation on input uses has an influence on the ability of farmers Editors Note In each issue of European Seed we take a closer look at one of the many crops that our European plant breeders are working on. In this issue were taking a closer look at wheat one of the top three food crops on the planet. to produce to particular quality standards impacting the kinds of wheat varieties required. An example of this is the restriction on nitrogen usage in Denmark today. Once the target region for breeding is identified along with the quality market yield is the primary breeding goal. Breeders aim to produce varieties with the highest yield potential. Once this is achieved breeders then target resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses to protect the yield potential that they have incorporated says Chris Tapsell head of wheat breeding for KWS U.K. In areas under an oceanic climate northwestern Europe stiff straw and sprouting resistance are important goals whereas in Mediterranean areas or areas under continental climate drought resistance is more important. Jayne Stragliati manager of wheat in Western Europe for Limagrain Europe agrees. I think it is good to put emphasis on stable yield. For me this is one of the main challenges for a breeder today. Why Because the biotic and abiotic stresses are never the same due BY MARCEL BRUINS THE YIELD RACEWHEAT BREEDING COMPANIES SHARE THEIR GOALS AS THEY FACE THE NEED TO FEED THE WORLDS GROWING POPULATION. Celine Zimmerli from Bayer CropSciences wheat breeding centre in Milly-la-Fort France controlling fertilisation to create new combinations of traits. Photo supplied by Bayer CropScience.