Researchers in Texas have planted a trial of so-called perennial wheat, which lasts about five years. Normal wheat flowers and dies in less than a year. The wheat, they say, is being evaluated particularly in the context of dual purpose grain and grazing use. Many farmers in the US west sow wheat and allow cattle to graze the young growth. After a while the cattle are removed and the wheat allowed to mature and flower. The perennial wheats, which have emerged from crosses of wheat with wild wheat grass (Agropyron spp) made in search of insect resistance and drought tolerance, would reduce the costs of seed and annual sowing.
Fine and dandy, but sad to see no mention whatsoever of the pioneering work by Wes Jackson and the Land Institute on the whole subject of perennial polyculture. Sad, but not entirely surprising; the Land Institute’s web site is by no means the easiest to find one’s way around. I visited a few years ago, and have kept up with their slow but steady progress towards “growing our own granola” but the truth is that despite Jackson’s wonderful oratory, not enough people know what they are doing there to promote edible biodiversity for the prairies. Try here for their latest publication on perennial polyculture.
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I’ve always been sceptical of perennial cereal grain crops for marginal environments. I was taught that vegetatively propagated (i.e. perennial) crops allocate reproductive resources according to the availability of resources. Hence, under drought conditions, plants would focus on vegegative survival.
Tom
I was taught the same. So were the folks at the Land Institute. Now, I don’t know about the Texas scientists, but one of the first things they did at the Land Institute was to see whether what they had been taught was correct. They selected for grain size. And got larger grains, without seemingly sacrificing any underground biomass.
Also, I don’t think that vegetatively propagated = perennial. These prairie grasses, loegumes and others survive year on year as perennials, but spread and colonise using seed.
Here’s something from IRRI on perennial rice.
HI i am a university student and am currently in the process of writing a essay on the feasibility of perennial in Australia. I was wondering if you guys had any input into how suitable the sub-tropical environment here would be.
Hello Alison, and thanks for your question.
I’m afraid I don’t myself know, but I suggest you contact the folks at The Land Institute and Charlie Rush at Texas A&M.
I’d love to buy some seeds. It seems to me that I could have a life time supply of wheat with low gluten!! Dr. Wes Jackson is an amazing man. I understand he is selling wheat grass flour. a great xmas gift
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