DNA fingerprinting maps wheat variety adoption across Nepal and Bangladesh

By Vijay Paranjape, Poornima Gade, Rijuta Garapaty, Rituparna Majumder & Maricelis Acevedo Wheat is one of the most widely grown crops globally, yet for many farmers the exact variety of wheat growing in their fields is a mystery. For the first time, extensive studies using DNA fingerprinting technologies are revealing granular detail about the kinds of wheat growing in Nepal and Bangladesh and providing insights to boost the productivity of this crucial food security crop. Conducted by researchers from Cornell, Sathguru Management Consultants, and National Agricultural Research Centers in Bangladesh and Nepal, the studies not only helped identify the popular varieties but also uncovered the widespread use of older and in some cases decommissioned varieties. The assessment will not only contribute to the understanding of the impact of crop improvement in food security and income growth but also aid research prioritization and inform variety replacement strategies. Wheat grain ...