Development of genomic selection and genome wide association strategies to faciliate and accelerate genetic gains in a breeding program to support the agroecological transition

Bread wheat is one of the most important organic market crops. SUSWHEAT will apply genomic prediction using training populations already developed in TRENDINGWHEAT to predict adaptation to organic cropping systems and reduce the number of multi-location yield trials and costs of breeding programs. SUSWHEAT also will use genotypic data from mapping populations obtained in MAS2WHEAT containing modern varieties and landraces to uncover the discovery of novel genes for adaptation to various environmental conditions including organic cropping systems. Finally, improvements on the application of remote sensing to selection of advanced lines in the breeding program, particularly with regards to weed competition capacity and nutrient use efficiency, are expected. All together these advancements will greatly benefit the identification of superior wheat varieties released for registration and ready for the agroecological transition in Spain and in Europe.