The Promising Future of Perennial Wheat Kernza: A Solution for a Hungry, Warming Planet

When searching for information about perennial wheat, the name “kernza” is likely to appear. Since its media introduction in 2010, Kernza has been hailed as a solution to the challenges of a warming planet and increasing food demand. This perennial crop can be harvested annually without the need for replanting, consequently saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions.

However, Kernza isn’t technically wheat. It’s a cross between durum wheat and intermediate wheatgrass, registered in 2011 as a new crop by the nonprofit Land Institute in Salinas, Kansas. Kernza carries a few wheat genes that enlarge the seed, although the seeds are still relatively small compared to wheat.

Even though Kernza’s seed yields are only a third to a half that of wheat, and flour yields are lower due to the seed hull, many companies are eagerly awaiting sufficient production to create branded products. General Mills, for instance, is keen on producing a new cereal from Kernza. In time, the phrase “Made with Kernza perennial wheat” could join the ranks of other popular food marketing phrases like “No gluten,” “Local,” “No sugar added,” and “non-GMO.” At present, about 6,000 acres of Kernza are grown in the U.S., compared to 45 million acres of wheat.

The crossing of wheatgrasses with wheat has a long-standing history, with the first crosses made nearly a century ago in the Soviet Union. China has been running a robust breeding program since the 1950s, and Australia expects to release a variety to growers by 2030. Wheatgrasses have been instrumental in enhancing disease and pest control in crops over the past 60 years and are crucial genetic resources for tolerance to drought, salinity, and high temperature stresses.

Several institutes and universities across the U.S. are running perennial wheat programs. Among these, Washington State University has been working on a perennial wheat for about 20 years. Their cultivar, named Salish Blue, is ready for release, and several hundred perennial varieties are in the pipeline. Salish Blue yields about 70 percent of common white wheat and has a blue-grey kernel.

The appeal of perennial wheat lies primarily in its cost-saving benefits, as it eliminates the need for annual seeding. Additionally, perennial varieties have deep, fibrous roots that reach deep nutrients and provide protection against erosion and drought. These roots also act as a carbon sink, helping mitigate global warming. However, perennial wheat will still require fertilizers and pesticides for weed, disease, and insect control, and yield improvements are necessary for the crop to be widely accepted by farmers. Nevertheless, cultivars like Salish Blue are expected to find their niche in the market.