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Italian Farmer Unearths Climate-Resilient Ancient Wheat
28 Oct
Summary
- A farmer found heritage wheat, poulard wheat, in his attic.
- This ancient grain shows resilience against drought and weeds.
- Its discovery offers genetic diversity for future crops.
An Italian farmer near Parma has rediscovered a heritage wheat variety, poulard wheat (Triticum turgidum), from seeds found in his family's attic. The grains, believed to be from his great-grandfather's time around 1915, germinated and produced exceptionally tall plants with multiple ears.
This ancient grain, named "grano del miracolo" by the farmer, exhibits impressive resilience to drought and requires fewer fertilizers. Its discovery is particularly relevant as modern agriculture faces climate change challenges, which can be mitigated by greater crop diversity.
Research indicates poulard wheat possesses higher levels of phosphorus and iron, along with lower gluten content compared to modern wheat. While bread-making required experimentation due to dough consistency, the resulting product is noted for its unique nutty sweetness.
Experts highlight that heritage crops like this offer crucial genetic diversity, reducing vulnerability in farming systems. While not a sole solution, studying such varieties could inform future breeding programs for climate-resilient agriculture.
