A social perennial vision for the North American Great Plains rooted in the resilience of a natural system-inspired agriculture
In the 2022 book Creating Resilient Landscapes in an Era of Climate Change, a shift to natural systems agriculture, which is modeled by indigenous agricultural practices and the diverse, perennial mixtures found in prairie ecosystems,…
Policy pathways for perennial agriculture
Recent research highlights the policy mechanisms and market developments that are necessary to catalyze a shift toward perennial agriculture systems that provide more substantial ecosystem services and greater climate resilience…
Perennials as Future Grain Crops: Opportunities and Challenges
New research published in parternship by Carlsberg Group Future Crops, The Land Institute, University of Copenhagen, Carlsberg Foundation, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Innovation Fund Denmark, Lund University in…
Changes to architecture of Silphium integrifolium Michx. during domestication reveal new trade-offs for yield
Ongoing domestication of whole leaf rosinweed, Silphium integrifolium Michx., as a perennial oilseed and forage crop aims to increase yields while limiting decreases in other desirable traits (i.e., trade-offs). Two…
Unraveling the genetic components of perenniality: Toward breeding for perennial grains
Although tremendously successful at feeding humanity, row crop agriculture based on annuals contributes to numerous ecosystem dis-services, ranging from soil degradation and aquatic eutrophication to greenhouse gas production. In contrast,…
Gourmet grasslands: Harvesting a perennial future
Commentary The global food system is highly dependent on grains, the production of which requires annual biomass turnover, which reduces soil health and undermines sustainability. Investments in diverse perennial grain-producing…
Seeding date affects seed and biomass yield of Silphium integrifolium Michx. (silflower)
Abstract Silphium integrifolium Michx. (silflower [Asteraceae]) is an emerging perennial oilseed and biomass crop with potential to supply ecosystem services, but optimum seeding dates for establishment are unknown. Our objective…
Development of whole‐genome prediction models to increase the rate of genetic gain in intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) breeding
Abstract The development of perennial grain crops is driven by the vision of simultaneous food production and enhanced ecosystem services. Typically, perennial crops like intermediate wheatgrass (IWG)[Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth…
Nested association mapping reveals the genetic architecture of spike emergence and anthesis timing in intermediate wheatgrass
Abstract Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is an outcrossing, cool season grass species currently undergoing direct domestication as a perennial grain crop. Though many traits are selection targets, understanding the genetic…
Development of First Linkage Map for Silphium integrifolium (Asteraceae) Enables Identification of Sporophytic Self-Incompatibility Locus
SUMMARY Silphium integrifolium (Asteraceae) has been identified as a candidate for domestication as a perennial oilseed crop and has a sporophytic self-incompatibility system—the genetic basis of which is not well understood…
Silflower Seed and Biomass Responses to Plant Density and Nitrogen Fertilization
Silflower (Silphium integrifolium Michx.) is a potential perennial oilseed crop that can provide ecosystem services; however, its seed, oil, and biomass yield potential are unknown. Our objectives were to determine the…
Balancing Forage Production, Seed Yield, and Pest Management in the Perennial Sunflower Silphium integrifolium (Asteraceae)
Abstract The perennial sunflower Silphium integrifolium Michx. (Asteraceae), also known as silflower, is a prospective dual-purpose forage plus grain crop. Pre-flowering biomass harvest for animal feed and the subsequent delay…