Ask The Breeder – Rachel Goddard

1. Genetic resistance has become a more important factor for varietal selection, how do you think this will develop over years to come?

With increasingly challenging weather conditions and the potential for stricter legislation of chemical inputs, genetic resistance is likely to become an even greater focus in future. However, we need to ensure that the genetic resistance in our varieties remains effective in the face of highly dynamic pathogens such as Yellow rust and Septoria tritici. This is where multi-gene resistance is important. By combining several resistance genes to the same pathogen in a single variety, we provide additional layers of protection and increase the ability of the variety to withstand pathogen attack. Varieties such as LG Rebellion, which perform consistently across several years of high disease pressure, benefit from multi-gene resistance. 

How have you, collectively as a team, developed the multi resistance programme at LG, and what are your plans for the future?

It’s important to recognise that not all resistance gene combinations provide the same level of protection. At Limagrain, we routinely assess the effectiveness of hundreds of different gene combinations in trials across the UK, to identify those which provide the best level of resistance. Through the use of genetic markers, we can quickly and efficiently select breeding lines which have the right genes and ensure that these lines also have other important traits such as good grain quality. To further protect against rapidly evolving pathogens, we’re also continually assessing and introducing new sources of resistances into the breeding program. As our understanding of the mechanisms of resistance continues to increase, we’ll be able to design more multi-gene combinations that work at different stages of the plant life-cycle and through different modes of action.

Rachel Goddard, Cereals Pathologist