The agricultural and genetic process of converting a plant that normally completes its life cycle in one season into a perennial that survives and produces for several years. This is achieved through selective breeding, hybridization with wild perennial relatives, or specific environmental management. In farming, perennialized staple crops offer massive benefits for soil conservation, as their permanent root systems prevent erosion and build organic matter without annual tillage.
The university's perennialization project on wheat is starting to yield grain volumes comparable to traditional annuals.
True perennialization of major grain crops is considered a holy grail in sustainable agriculture because it eliminates the need for yearly plowing and seeding.
Related terms
Permaculture
A design approach to agriculture that mimics natural ecosystems to create self-sustaining landscapes.
No-till
A farming method that grows crops without disturbing the soil through plowing or cultivation.
Rootstock
The lower underground portion of a grafted plant that provides the root system.