CSIRO researchers are revolutionizing wheat breeding with drone-mounted hyperspectral cameras that can detect traits invisible to the human eye. These cameras split light into hundreds of narrow bands, revealing processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and grain-filling rates. The technology aims to develop more robust and abundant wheat varieties, potentially unlocking higher yields with less water.
The project, AcceleTraitPlus, has shown that these instruments can work reliably at scale, gaining interest from breeders. Traditionally, measuring traits like grain-filling rate required manual labor, but the drone-mounted cameras can image an entire trial site in minutes, capturing data that used to take hours.
GRDC Senior Manager Jessica Hyles highlighted the importance of this research in developing wheat varieties with higher yield potential, better water use, and more reliable performance in tough seasons. The team presented their findings at the Australian Crop Breeders Week conference, demonstrating that the models could predict grain-filling rate and photosynthesis accurately.
Dr Anton Wasson, a project leader, noted that while there has been significant investment in plant physiology, very little of that work has been adopted by commercial breeding programs. The hyperspectral tools offer a promising solution to this challenge, potentially changing the way breeders identify promising plants in the field.