A small seed makes a big difference

The development of new genetics and new varieties is of great importance for the food industry and DLG’s objective of having a climate-neutral food industry by 2050. Sejet Planteforædling in Horsens works every day to breed new and climate-efficient crop varieties. Here, the grain is bred for greater disease resistance, increased straw strength for withstanding heavy rain, as well as better root systems for improved drought resistance.

“In general, we find that the pressure on the plant breeding industry is greater than ever. The world has realised that plant breeding is an important step towards reducing the climate impact of  agriculture. Int he future, there will be more mouths to feed, and when you can’t just increase the number of hectares farmed, you have to farm the available hectares better – for example by developing new genetics,” says Bent Nissen, Executive Vice President, Plant Breeding, in DLG.

Reduction in GHG gases

Several calculations show that plant breeding increases yields by between 0.8 and 1.1% per year. In other words, plant breeding can increase production without using more farmland, resulting in a significant reduction in GHG gases per kg of harvested grain.
“Through breeding new varieties, we have the chance to improve productivity through plant breeding without increasing our climate impact. I’ve always said that you have to sow the field anyway, so why not sow it with something that is more resistant, produces a higher yield and which uses the sun’s energy more efficiently,” says Director Birger Eriksen, Sejet Planteforædling.
Until now, the focus of plant breeding has primarily been directed at the plant which is above ground level, but Sejet is also working on improving the roots. The aim is to increase the amount of fertiliser absorbed by the plant, and indirectly reduce the release of nitrous oxide, which is a very active GHG gas.

Stable and climate-friendly plant production

Using the latest technologies, Sejet is creating the more complete grain varieties of tomorrow. Varieties that can make a difference as part of a stable and climate-friendly plant production.
Thanks to Sejet Planteforædling, farmers can sow a small seed in their fields and look forward to harvesting high-performance plants. Plants that make optimum use of water and fertilisers, and which are also resistant to disease and extreme weather.
“I’ve been in this business for many years, and it’s great that the world is becoming increasingly aware of what we can do. Because the huge task of reducing our impact on the climate starts at the genetic level with a small seed,” says Birger Eriksen.