Diverse and heritage grains and their microbial and nutrient associations - field lab learning network

Modern wheat breeding has prioritised yield and uniformity, potentially compromising traits underpinning plant–microbe interactions and grain nutritional quality.

This field lab learning network will investigate whether heritage winter wheats (e.g., Old Kent Red, Red Lammas) retain superior capacity to recruit beneficial soil microbial communities relative to modern cultivars, and how these interactions correlate with soil and grain micronutrient and polyphenol composition. 

If you would like to join the learning network, or take part in one of the trials, please get in touch: info@innovativefarmers.org

This trial addresses whether heritage wheats retain superior microbial recruitment and nutrient profiles compared with modern cultivars—knowledge essential for breeding resilient, nutrient-dense crops. The multi-tiered design (core replicated sites, satellite farms, and farmer-contributed fields) ensures both scientific rigour and broad real-world relevance.