Pre-breeding is an effective way to achieve the introduction of novel genes and/or traits of interest into breeding programmes, thereby enriching the available gene pool from which breeding efforts stems and benefitting the whole value chain: from fork to field. The most important aspect in wheat breeding, especially from a macroeconomicperspective, is improving yield, and the most effective way to achieve this is by improving physiological traits.Physiological pre-breeding activities typically entail targeting traits such as improved plant architecture, and better adaptation to abiotic stressors such as water stress, temperature stress, and salinity tolerance. During the past few seasons (starting in 2016) in order to realize the aim, the following objectives, formulated into work packages (WP) were pursued: WP1 - Stakeholder workshops; WP2 - Germplasm gathering and preliminary phenotypic screening; WP3 - MSMARS crossing programme; WP4 - Molecular marker identification, optimization and implementation; WP5 - High throughput phenotyping technique identification, optimization and implementation; WP6 - Capacity building; and WP7 - Seed multiplication, nursery characterization and distribution.

The fourth cycle of the project was successfully concluded the past year and work packages are on schedule. Most notably the project again distributed a significant amount of germplasm to stakeholders for evaluation and selection during the 2018 season, and inclusion in breeding programmes during 2019 either for further evaluation and/or use as crossing parents. Ensuring that the project contributes to the ongoing development of new wheat cultivars for the South African cereal producer.