67 RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT Research highlights in the Crop Improvement Consortium High-yielding wheat germplasm distributed: The Wheat Breeding Platform successfully distributed 149 high-yielding entries to major breeding partners, supporting cultivar development tailored to South African conditions. National screening capacity for Preharvest Sprouting Established: Rainfall simulators and lab infrastructure were expanded, enabling the completion of 2 226 grain quality assays across 19 wheat cultivars. This supports reliable evaluation of sprouting tolerance under South African conditions. Construction of the new national plant phenotyping facility at SU is progressing well: Part of a R50 million DSTI-funded initiative, the platform will play a key role in supporting the Wheat Breeding Platform and other national research initiatives. Plant Health Consortium South Africa’s grain industry faces growing threats from increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions, which threaten both yields and national food security. can severely impact yields and food security. The Plant Health Consortium leads a coordinated response, translating scientific research into practical strategies through surveillance, diagnostics and practical management strategies. This year the consortium strengthened collaborations across research, government, and industry, expanded diagnostic services, and engaged directly with farmers to turn scientific insights into actionable solutions that safeguard crop health and support sustainable grain and oilseed production, addressing national priorities such as food security and sustainability. The Plant Health Consortium plays a crucial role in safeguarding South Africa’s grain and oilseed production by connecting research, industry, and farmers. Its work enhances early detection, surveillance, and management of key pests and diseases, translating scientific findings into practical solutions that protect yields and support sustainable farming.
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