Wheat
Triticum aestivum
The flagship crops include the major European and global staple food crop, wheat (Triticum aestivum). Wheat covers more land surface than any other food crop globally and is the leading source of plant protein in the human diet. It is the most important staple food crop in Europe. Still, much of its cropping area is expected to be affected by climate change in the next decades, emphasizing the need for increased climate resilience.
Lead by GZPK
Wheat Flagship crops News
15 – How genomics can help to unlock wild genetic potential for crop improvment
Modern crops have lost valuable genetic diversity through domestication, while crop wild relatives (CWRs) retain traits important for resilience and adaptation. The COUSIN Project provides high-quality genomic resources and maps for multiple CWR species, enabling the identification of beneficial genes and supporting their targeted introgression into modern crops to accelerate breeding for improved performance and resistance.
14 – Using Crop Wild Relatives in innovative food products – Translating crop diversity into practical food application
Crop wild relatives (CWRs) and CWR-derived materials from barley, wheat, pea and lettuce offer underused potential for innovative food product development. The COUSIN Project demonstrates how these resources can be incorporated into a range of food applications, supporting the creation of more diverse, nutritious and sustainable food systems.
11 – Pilot cultivation of Kernza® in Spain- Lessons learned for future COUSIN trials
A pilot cultivation of Kernza® in Spain assessed the potential of this perennial grain under Mediterranean conditions. The COUSIN Project documents key agronomic lessons on establishment, crop management, and adaptation, providing practical guidance to support future field trials and the wider adoption of resilient perennial cropping systems.
Three days of activities and synergies for the third annual project meeting
The third COUSIN Annual Meeting took place from 25 to 27 May in Scandicci, Italy, and was hosted by the project partner Rete Semi Rurali. The event brought together representatives from across the consortium to review project achievements, exchange knowledge, and...
Cultivating Biodiversity: Educational Garden Planting at San Martín School with APRISCO
COUSIN partner Aprisco planted this academic year’s educational garden at San Martín School (Garganta la Olla), a partner in the “Farmland biodiversity for rural wellbeing” living lab. The same approach was followed as last year's garden, focusing on legumes and their...
DArTseq genotyping facilitates identification of Aegilops biuncialis chromatin introgressed into bread wheat Mv9kr1. Plant Mol Biol
The article "DArTseq genotyping facilitates identification of Aegilops biuncialis chromatin introgressed into bread wheat Mv9kr1. Plant Mol Biol" was published in Springer Nature - Volume 114, article number 122, (2024). The autors of the article are Eszter Gaál,...
Genotyping-by-sequencing uncovers a Thinopyrum 4StS·1JvsS Robertsonian translocationlinked to multiple stress tolerances in bread wheat
The article "Genotyping-by-sequencing uncovers a Thinopyrum 4StS·1JvsS Robertsonian translocation linked to multiple stress tolerances in bread wheat" written by written by Kruppa, K., Türkösi, E., Holušová, K. et al. was published in Springer Nature, Volume 138,...
6 – Prospects of breeding with CWR on wheat to enhance site adaptation and drought tolerance
Wheat is fundamental to Europes food supply, but challenges such as demands to reduce pesticides and fertilizers, along with more unpredictable weather patterns, have made it more difficult to achieve high, consistent yields and maintain flour quality
Unlocking the potential of Wild Crops: new progress in the COUSIN Project
Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) carry genetic traits for resilience, productivity, and nutrition and could play a key role in the agroecological transition of European food systems. In its first 18 months, the COUSIN project is making strong progress towards understanding...
gzpk demonstrated CWRs at the annual training of organic breeders
On 24 and 25 June 2025, GZPK organized a workshop about wheat CWRs in the frame of a professional training for organic breeders. Some wheat Crop Wild Relatives and the wheat populations provided by FiBL have been demonstrated to the participants. (the photo shows the...
