Sustainable Saline Farming Using Wheat

Soil salinization is an increasing global problem. An estimated 500 million ha are affected and in some areas the land is left fallow with severe economic consequences.

Farmers are no longer capable of feeding their families and are forced to migrate to cities where they often end up in slums.The major aim of this project is to turn saline soil into productive soil. Initially we have focused on Bangladesh.

Starting from one of their best salt tolerant local Bangladesh wheat variety BARI Gom-25, we increased the genetic variation by Ethyl Methane Sulphonate.

From the mutated population we screened ca 2000 lines for increased salt tolerance in a laboratory assay and identified 70 lines with high salt tolerance (~20 dS/m).During the winter season (2017/18) we performed the first field trial on saline land (~10 dS/m) in Southern Bangladesh with these lines.

The trial showed very promising results.

All tested lines, including BARI Gom-25, were ranked in a blind test by a local farmer and our 70 lines were placed on the 70 first places!

We have continued with different tests and are down to ca five extra ordinary salt tolerant lines to be used in this project.

For transfer of knowledge (both ways) we collaborate with ICCO (NGO) for trials with farmers, Lal Teer Seed Ltd for controlled drip irrigation tests, and HST University for salt stress marker identification and capacity building. We plan to get seeds approved on the national seed notification list to fight hunger and poverty.