Wheat breeding and microbiome platform for enhanced soil carbon sequestration
A research platform leveraging wheat genetic diversity to breed crops that sequester more soil carbon through slower decomposition of harvest residue. By screening 119 wheat accessions for C:N ratio and decomposition rates, the project identifies plant traits and soil microbiome indicators that enhance below-ground carbon storage, offering a scalable, low-cost climate solution for cereal agriculture.
Overview
Modern cereal crops have not been bred with soil carbon sequestration in mind, yet crop residue decomposition is a major factor in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. This project uses the John Innes Centre's extensive wheat germplasm collection to identify genetic variation in straw and root decomposition rates. By linking plant traits such as residue C:N ratio to soil microbiome composition, the research aims to develop breeding targets and management practices that slow organic matter breakdown and lock more carbon below ground. The approach offers a cost-effective pathway for growers to reduce agriculture's climate footprint while maintaining yields of staple crops like wheat.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Screening 119 wheat accessions for straw and root C:N content and decomposition rate
- Buried litter bag trials at 20 cm depth in a post-harvest arable field, with sampling at 50 and 100 days
- Early trials show approximately 25% biomass decrease at 20 cm depth for a current UK wheat variety
- DNA-based analysis of soil microbiome and meso/micro fauna to identify functional indicators of carbon sequestration
- Comparison of microbial communities associated with high versus low decomposition residues
Key scientific insights:
- Higher C:N ratios in older or traditional wheat cultivars correlate with slower organic matter decomposition
- Different soil trophic chains are involved in breaking down high versus low C:N residues
- Plant natural products may drive enhanced sequestration alongside microbial community shifts
Technology readiness level
The project is at an early-to-mid research stage, building on validated replicated experiments showing that decomposition rate slows when residue C:N ratio is higher. Existing data on cover crop and green manure decomposition underpin the hypothesis. The next phase involves systematic screening of 119 wheat accessions, followed by microbiome and fauna community analysis to identify indicator species and breeding targets. Outputs are expected to inform future wheat breeding programs and crop management guidelines for enhanced soil carbon sequestration.
About John Innes Centre
John Innes Centre is an independent UK research institute in Norwich focused on plant and microbial science and operating as a registered charity. Embedded within the Norwich Research Park, it offers industry access to co‑located laboratories, extensive glasshouses and controlled‑environment rooms, a dedicated field experimentation farm, and shared research platforms available to external users. A Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation team brokers partnerships, while IP and licensing are channelled via Plant Bioscience Limited, jointly owned with The Sainsbury Laboratory and BBSRC. Research is strategically supported by UKRI‑BBSRC with additional competitive awards from BBSRC and NERC. The park ecosystem links partners to the University of East Anglia, a major NHS hospital, and allied institutes for streamlined collaboration.
Inquire about this partnering listing
Looking for
Industry applications
delivered to your inbox.