A new protocol for speed vernalisation of winter cereals

Abstract

There are many challenges facing the development of high-yielding, nutritious crops for future environments. One limiting factor is generation time, which prolongs research and plant breeding timelines. Recent advances in speed breeding protocols have dramatically reduced generation time for many short-day and long-day species by optimising light and temperature conditions during plant growth. However, winter crops with a vernalisation requirement still require up to 6-10 weeks in low-temperature conditions before transition to reproductive development. Here, we tested a suite of environmental conditions and protocols to investigate if vernalisation can be satisfied more efficiently. We identified a vernalisation method consisting of exposing seeds at the soil surface to an extended photoperiod of 22 h day:2 h night at 10C with transfer to speed breeding conditions that dramatically reduces generation time in both winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and winter barley (Hordeum vulgare). Implementation of this protocol achieved up to five generations per year for winter wheat or barley, instead of the two typically obtained under standard vernalisation and plant growth conditions. The protocol has great potential to enhance training and to accelerate research, pre-breeding, and breeding outcomes focussed on winter crop improvement.