Wheat Genetics Resource Center I/UCRC
wheat

About the WGRC I/UCRC

About the I/UCRC

A public-private consortium to mobilize genetic diversity to enhance wheat yield and meet food security needs.

Kansas State University, Colorado State University, Texas A & M, South Dakota State University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln address challenges facing the wheat industry by joining industry partners in creating an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) for the WGRC. The Center focuses on developing new methods for using wheat genetic diversity, both natural and induced, to solve problems for farmers and end users of wheat. Industry members provide market awareness, ensuring delivery of important traits.

 

Structure of the WGRC – I/UCRC

The consortium system is modeled after and facilitated by the National Science Foundation’s Industry University Cooperative Research Program.

http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/iucrc/

 

Pipeline

 

I/UCRC Project Goals and Deliverables:

MISSION: The mission of this cooperative research center is to mobilize genetic diversity to enhance wheat yield and meet food security needs.

  • Train students who can rapidly contribute to industry objectives and breeding targets.
  • Develop new natural and induced methods for using wheat genetic diversity.
  • Initiate rapid improvement of a global wheat crop and improve functionality of wheat.
  • Significantly reduce time of identification validation and integration of genetic traits into a market ready variety.
  • Develop and Apply methods to incorporate high-value wheat traits in breeding programs for sustainable crop production.