Threat

Global climate change, towards higher temperature, greater aridity and more frequent erratic climate events, become a major threat to agricultural sustainability, food security and social stability.

The rapid increase of World population and industrial development are giving rise to increased carbon dioxide concentration in the Earth's biosphere.

What

The world will heavily rely on C4 crops. While C4 plants constitute only about 3% of all plant species, they account for nearly one fourth of all annual net primary productivity, making them central ecologically.

C4FUTURE will study two important C4 cereal crops: maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).

Why

Maize can be processed into a variety of food, animal feed and industrial products [3]. Sorghum is very attractive for potential gains in animal feed, bioenergy and the manufacture of specialty health-promoting (antioxidant rich) foods. Its popularity is resurging in Europe as a substitute for traditional grains diet and for meeting gluten-free needs.


Gallery

Sorghum trial going well - July 2023


Excellent field of sorghum - June 2023


Termal imaging of the sorghum trial fields - June 2023


Excellent field of sorghum - May 2023


Sowing field - Sorghum - April 2023

Normally no rain in this season, but this year we've had unexpected heavy rain and storms. Hoping that rain will stop after germination and that it will not effect drought experiment.