The nitrogen dilution effect refers to the observation that high wheat yields are often associated with low grain protein content (GPC). As grain protein is a key determinant of price, growers seek to maintain both high yield and high GPC.

This investment seeks to confirm recent gene network discoveries in relation to quantitative and allelic effects on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and GPC. New gene resources for high NUE and GPC will be targeted through gene mapping and cloning, accompanied by mechanistic studies at the molecular level. Genetic resources and molecular markers will be provided to breeding companies to allow increasing GPC while maintaining yield.