In late September, a team of international researchers embarked on an expedition in a remote mountain range in New Mexico, seeking out a resilient plant that could withstand extreme weather conditions.
The scientists navigated the rugged landscape for seven days, ultimately returning with a valuable sample: wild tepary bean plants.
The quest for the tepary bean, native to arid regions in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, was driven by its robust nature.
Sarah Dohle, a bean curator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, highlighted the plant’s exceptional drought and heat tolerance, as well as its potential resilience to extreme soil conditions.
These attributes are crucial as scientists grapple with the challenge of breeding crops like beans, peppers, potatoes, and various grains, fruits, and vegetables capable of thriving in the face of a changing climate.
The impact of climate change on agriculture is already evident globally.
In the western U.S., severe drought has devastated tomato and rice production in California, while Guatemala has faced the dual challenges of drought and excessive rainfall, adversely affecting corn and black bean harvests—both vital food staples.
Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced reduced yields of wheat and corn due to soaring temperatures, foreshadowing a worsening scenario according to climate and agricultural models.
A 2021 NASA study projects a potential 24 percent decline in corn production by 2030, underscoring the urgency of finding resilient crops.
While certain staple foods like wheat may see increased production, researchers emphasize the need to diversify agriculture for the development of robust and sustainable food systems.
In 2014, only nine crops accounted for two-thirds of global production, despite the existence of over 6,000 cultivated plant species and more than 50,000 edible plants on Earth.
Underrated and hardy crops, such as the tepary bean, could play a pivotal role in diversifying food production, according to Richard Pratt, a plant scientist and professor at New Mexico State University.
Pratt, part of the September expedition, stressed the potential for genetic material from these crops to enhance the drought and heat tolerance of other plants.
Initiatives like the University of California, Davis-led $15 million project, aimed at accelerating wheat breeding cycles and enhancing resilience to tougher environments, and Auburn University’s efforts to breed drought-tolerant peanut varieties reflect the growing commitment of researchers to adapt to climate change.
However, challenges persist. The time-intensive nature of crop breeding makes it challenging to keep pace with rapidly changing weather patterns.
While genetic sequencing and gene editing offer potential solutions, concerns about unintended changes and genetic contamination loom.
Additionally, consumers continue to prioritize flavorful foods, and farmers seek crops that are easy to grow.
As extreme weather events become more frequent, the urgency to develop climate-adapted crops through plant breeding has intensified.
“If global climate change keeps being hard on us,” Pratt remarked, “we’ve got to have crops that are resilient.”
