Landbruksroboten Thorvald står på en jorde foran et forsøksfelt med korn
Photo: Sahameh Shafiee

The project explores the innovation potential in wheat breeding and cultivation, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies like AI and digital twins to increase efficiency across the value chain.

23 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2029

Research funding for agriculture and the food industry(FFL/JA)

About the project

In light of the increasing consequences of climate change, including severe droughts that threaten global food security, our project focuses on Norwegian wheat to ensure stable and sustainable agricultural practices. Using polytunnel simulations, we investigate the effects of drought on wheat, with a particular focus on the role of root architecture in adapting to drought conditions.

Our innovative approach includes the use of UAVs and robotic platforms for precise phenotyping, as well as the application of artificial intelligence for data analysis, which surpasses the limitations of traditional plant breeding.

This interdisciplinary work combines genomics, environmental science, and advanced artificial intelligence to develop an innovative framework for studying crop resilience. A key element of the project is the development of digital twins for wheat crops, which integrate real-time data to simulate the interaction between genetics, environmental conditions, and management practices. This enables precision breeding and cultivation.

The project is also a pioneer in explainable artificial intelligence in plant breeding, which improves the predictability and transparency of the model. Through active collaboration with farmers and stakeholders, the project aims to democratize access to its findings, ensure broad application, and support sustainable food production.

Rekker med grønne vekter inn i en polytunnel
Controlled Drought Experiments on Wheat Using PolytunnelsPhoto: Sahameh Shafiee

NMBU participants

External participants

Wageningen University
Graminor AS
Aersea AS
Felleskjøpet
Telia Norge As