Wheat is a staple food for billions of people around the world. With a growing population, we will need to produce more wheat to meet the rising demand.
There is a finite amount of land suitable for growing crops. This creates a challenge for increasing wheat production.
Current agricultural practices contribute to climate change and environmental pollution. We need to find ways to produce more food while reducing our environmental impact.
Climate change presents additional challenges for wheat production, such as extreme weather events and changes in precipitation patterns.
To ensure long-term food security, we need to develop sustainable solutions for wheat production. These solutions should consider the entire food system, from production to consumption.
A recent study published in Nature Plants investigated whether increasing nitrogen fertilizer use is the answer to meeting future wheat demands.
The researchers used simulation models to estimate potential wheat yield increases and the associated nitrogen requirements under various climate change scenarios.
The study suggests that nitrogen fertilizer use may need to increase up to four times to achieve maximum yield potential from new wheat varieties.
It pollutes water, increases greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces biodiversity.
