Role of Conventional Plant Breeding and Biotechnology in Future Wheat Production

The global wheat production by year 2020 could be increased by 40% provided there is a good integrated multidisciplinary wheat research program optimally funded by either public or private sectors. More emphasis needs to be placed on: 1) Improving yield potential; 2) Durable disease resistance; 3) Increasing abiotic stress tolerance; 4) Adopting better conservation systems. There are roles for both conventional plant breeding and biotechnology supported by other disciplines to achieve this goal.