Mutant wheat breakthrough could triple grain yields
newatlas.com
Imagine if three times as much grain could be obtained from the same amount of wheat plants as is currently possible, using the same amount of land, water and fertilizer. Well, that could soon be possible, thanks to a new genetic discovery.
  • Cosmoooooooo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    Truly wonderous. Can’t wait to see how a billionaire is going to use it against everyone else. (/s)

    • evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 months ago

      Easy.

      Hypothetically speaking:

      • hybrid wheat produces enough to become an economical chemical feedstock like maize
      • we all start fueling our cars with wheated whiskey instead of the usual corn whiskey and dino squeezings
      • climates and terrains previously uneconomical to cultivate become economical, and natural areas get converted to industrial agriculture
      • water usage, fossil fuel based and other non-renewable (phosphorus) fertilizer usage, and topsoil erosion all skyrocket in new areas
      • like 10 guys get even bigger hyperyachts while everyone else suffers