DURUM WHEAT GENOMICS AND BREEDING

The Expert Working Group on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding aims to bring together and synergize the activities of those stakeholders interested in promoting specific research actions focused on improving durum wheat productivity and quality and collaborations with the scientific community active in genomics of bread wheat.

Proposal
The proposal to establish an Expert Working Group on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding was submitted by Luigi Cattivelli (Agricultural Research Council (CERA), Italy) and Roberto Tuberosa (University of Bologna, Italy). The Research Committee endorsed the creation of an EWG on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding in July 2013.

Leadership
Chairs: Luigi CATTIVELLI, Anna Maria MASTRANGELO

Co-Chairs: Karim AMMAR, Agata GADALETA and Jose Miguel SORIANO

Call for Experts
The call for experts will remain open during the EWG lifetime. Any expert wishing to participate in the Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding Expert Working Group should complete the application form and send it via email to wheat(dot)initiative(at)julius-kuehn(dot)de.

PUBBLICATIONS SUPPORTED BY THE EWG

  • Maccaferri et al. 2019. Durum wheat genome highlights past domestication signatures and future improvement targets. Nature Genetics, 51: 885–895. doi: 10.1038/s41588-019-0381-3.

  • Mazzucotelli et al. 2020. The Global Durum Wheat Panel: An international platform to identify and exchange beneficial alleles. Frontiers in Plant Science 11: 569905. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.569905.

  • Tuberosa R, Cattivelli L, Ceriotti A, Gadaleta A, Beres BL, Pozniak CJ, 2021. Special issue on: Proceedings of FSTP3 Congress – A sustainable durum wheat chain for food security and healthy lives. Frontiers in Plant Science, doi: 10.3389/978-2-88966-854-0.

  • Peters Haurgrud et al. 2025 Future of durum wheat research and breeding: insights from early carrier researcher The Plant Genome, 18:e20453. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20453. EARLY CARRIER RESEARCHERS PAPER

  • Viviani et al, 2025. Comprehensive roadmap for Fusarium Head Blight resistance in durum wheat: Insights from the Wheat Initiative. The Plant Genome, 18: e20539 doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20539

  • Achilli et al. 2025 Genetic gains in durum wheat across the globe: yield, quality, and adapting for the changing climate. Plant Breeding. EARLY CARRIER RESEARCHERS PAPER

  • Cattivelli L, Pozniak CJ, Tuberosa R. 2025. Special issue on: From Seed to Pasta IV Congress: Coping with climate change and sustainability of durum wheat production. The Plant Genome.

Meetings

Upcoming:

  • September 27th, Bari, Italy, (during FSTP5) Meeting of the Expert Working Group in Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding

Past:

  • December 16, 2024 6TH VIRTUAL DURUM MEETING 16TH DEC 2024, Updates from the International Wheat Congress: a durum wheat perspective

  • September 21st 2024, Durum EWG meeting, prior to the International Wheat Congress in Perth, Australia

  • October 17-18th 2023, Durum EWG meeting, Bari “IS SUFFICIENT RESISTANCE TO FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT IN DURUM WHEAT TRULY ACHIEVABLE?”

  • May 10-11th 2023, 5th Virtual Durum Meeting (find the programme here)


Annual Reports