Plant breeding
Triticale Breeding (Prof. dr. ir. Geert Haesaert)
The triticale breeding program was initiated in 1987 just after its breakthrough on the West-European market. The program was started as extension of the course plant breeding but evolved in a full-fledged program. The focus is on developing robust genotypes with good adaptability to less favourable growing conditions and excellent disease resistance. We try to expand the present breeding pool by making triticale x wheat crosses as well as wheat x rye crosses. Breeding population are not only used to make new varieties but also in genetic studies (e.g. marker development, gene expression). Recent studies focus on phenotypic and genotypic aspects of drought resistance and feed quality (whole plant silage).