New breakthrough in crop resilience
The Carlsberg Research Laboratory, the world’s first industrial research laboratory, has announced a scientific breakthrough that could help safeguard food crops against climate-driven losses.
In keeping with a belief that “like beer, science should be shared,” the Carlsberg-led research was published today in the peer-reviewed academic journal Science, making the findings available to scientists and breeders worldwide.
Unpredictable weather intensified by climate change causes billions of dollars in losses to cereal crops like barley, wheat and rice, as premature sprouting before harvest – known as pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) – reduces grain quality and threatens food security.
Grains that germinate before harvest often don’t meet quality requirements in downstream industrial processes and are more susceptible to spoilage, mold, and fungal contamination – meaning the grains are often not even suitable as animal feed.
These losses can be devastating to farmers, communities and businesses that rely on a consistent production of high-quality crops.
The Carlsberg Research Laboratory-led international team has uncovered how the complex genetics of a single gene, MKK3, controls seed dormancy and sprouting risk in barley, revealing new ways to breed crops that are both resilient to climate extremes and suited for diverse agricultural needs.
“At Carlsberg, we believe that science should be shared,” said Birgitte Skadhauge, vice President and head of the Carlsberg Research Laboratory.
“By publishing our research in Science, we’re inviting the global scientific community to build on our findings, accelerate progress, and help secure the future of food. This breakthrough is bigger than beer – it’s about brewing a better tomorrow for everyone.”
Using advanced genetic analysis and field trials across continents, the researchers mapped the diversity of MKK3 gene variants in barley from around the world.
“Our work shows how centuries of farming and climate adaptation have shaped the genetic landscape of this vital crop and provides a roadmap for breeders to balance dormancy and sprouting risk – helping farmers everywhere grow better crops, even as weather becomes more unpredictable,” added Christoph Dockter, head of cereal crop development at the Carlsberg Research Laboratory.
Key Findings at a Glance
MKK3 gene diversity: The team identified how different versions of the MKK3 gene affect seed dormancy and sprouting risk, with some variants offering greater resilience to wet harvest conditions.
Global mapping: Figures from the research illustrate the worldwide distribution of these gene variants showing the selection dynamics of century-long domestication and breeding and highlight regions where farmers face the greatest risk from PHS.
Field trials: Data from multi-year field trials show how targeted breeding can help balance crop performance and resilience, supporting sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.
Carlsberg Research Laboratory researchers, led by Christoph Dockter and Morten E. Jørgensen with Birgitte Skadhauge collaborated with a global team of researchers including Dominique Vequaud (SECOBRA Recherches), Eske Willerslev (University of Copenhagen, University of Cambridge), Nils Stein (Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, University of Halle) and Robbie Waugh (International Barley Hub/James Hutton Institute, University of Dundee, University of Adelaide) to publish this discovery.
