Shuttle Breeding
Borlaug began growing two crops of wheat a year in contrasting growing conditions. As a result, Borlaug's “shuttle breeding” produced highly adaptive wheat, yielding twice the production potential.
"For the first time, Dr. Haarar, I have seen a man come here from the Rockefeller Foundation or any other organization to help the farmer. Perhaps it is the first time in the history of Mexico that any scientist tried to help our farmers-- I don't know that. The results are already evident in my own land with this new, wonderful wheat. I thank you, and I thank Dr. Borlaug...I want to say what is happening here with Dr. Borlaug will have a tremendous effect within a short time."
- Letter from a prominent and respected farmer in Sonora, (his land was adjacent this Yaqui Valley).
"Don't try to discourage me, Ed. I know how much work is involved. Don't tell me what can't be done. Tell me what needs to be done -- and let me do it. There's one single factor that makes the Yaqui effort worth a try, and that's rust. Breeding two generations a year means beating and staying ahead of the shifty stem-rust organism. If I can lick that problem by working in Sonora, then we've won a victory. To hell with the |
*Click image to enlarge
Courtesy of the University of Minnesota Archives