Bloglander

In just two decades, environmentally-friendly perennial wheat crops could transform how the world is fed, according to the recent issue of Science.

One of the article's lead authors, John Reganold, is a WSU Regents professor of soil science. The other lead author, Jerry Glover, trained in Pullman but now works at the Lands Institute in Salina, Kan.

The innovation — which could rank as one of the largest since humans began farming 10,000 years ago — would help the world's poorest farmers. Instead of planting seeds and tilling the soil year after year, only one crop need be planted. That crop would grow year after year and help to maintain soil integrity.

"People talk about food security," Reganold is quoted as saying in a statement from WSU. "That's only half the issue. We need to talk about both food and ecosystem security." 

Follow the link above to watch a video on the advantages of perennial wheat.