As part of the Faculty of Agriculture Conferences, a lecture titled “Perennial Wheat Development Studies” was delivered by Prof. Dr. Rüştü Hatipoğlu, a faculty member of the Field Crops Department, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 1:30 PM in the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University.

Prof. Dr. Rüştü Hatipoğlu stated that, according to 2025 TÜİK data, annual per capita wheat consumption in Turkey varied between 159.9 and 201 kg between 2007 and 2024, emphasizing that breeding efforts are of great importance due to the high consumption of wheat. In his speech, he touched upon the importance of perennial wheat development studies in terms of agriculture, noting that the annual wheat commonly grown today requires high-cost and labor-intensive processes such as seedbed preparation, sowing, fertilization, and spraying every year. He emphasized that these high-input practices not only create an economic burden but also cause serious soil and environmental damage.

According to the information shared in the presentation, annual crops increase soil erosion due to their short growing season and weak root structures, while perennial wheat uses water and nutrients more effectively thanks to its deep root system. It was also stated that these plants store more carbon underground, making them more resistant to environmental stresses such as drought and pests.

The conference also discussed how perennial wheat breeding studies are conducted, noting that sand wheat (Leymus arenarius), beach wheat (Leymus racemosus), and blue fescue (Thinopyrum intermedium) are among the most suitable candidates for domestication due to their ability to hybridize with annual wheat. (Leymus arenarius), sea rye (Leymus racemosus), and blue brome (Thinopyrum intermedium) are among the most suitable candidates for domestication due to their ability to hybridize with annual wheat. Furthermore, the nutrient content, yield rates, antioxidant content, protein ratios, and growth physiology of the developed perennial wheat varieties were evaluated in comparison with annual wheat varieties.

Following the question-and-answer session, the program concluded with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation by the Dean of our Faculty, Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar.