April 6, 2005

China develops wheat with better yields

Scientists in China have developed a hybrid wheat breed that could double or even triple the country's present yield.

The government has agreed to the proposal of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences that the new breed be planted in one fourth of all wheat fields by 2008.

Zhai Huqu, president of the academy, said the breed, Lunxuan 987, can yield up to 10.7 tonnes per-hectare, nearly 6.5 tonnes more than the average per unit yield of wheat in 2004.

Features of Lunxuan 987 include a resistance to lodging, powdery mildew and stripe rust, and the ability to shed its yellow leaves when ripening.