Insects are important components of ecosystems and affect ecosystem health and agricultural productivity. Insects can be both positive, such as pollinators and natural enemies, or negative in the form of pests. Historically, pests have been managed responsively through the use of pesticides. However, there is an increasing desire for alternative methods with less environmental impact and that are safer for beneficial insects. This desire can be seen, for instance, in the WGRF Field Heroes program. Further, as the crops grown in western Canada diversify, it becomes necessary to evaluate potential pests and to determine the risk and threats from different insect species.
Read MoreThrough this proposal, in collaboration with AAFC’s Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) breeders, the researchers propose to assess the adaptability of wheat germplasm for arid environments for the long-term sustainability of agriculture. CWRS is a widely grown wheat class in Western Canada, accounting for 60% of annual production. It has high protein content that is highly regarded for its superior milling and baking quality.
Read MoreThe main objectives of this project are: 1) to establish a high throughput phenotyping system that enable to accurately measure differences in transpiration and biomass accumulation; 2) to analyze variation in Nested Association Mapping population (NAM) founder lines of wheat to identify the genotypes better able to transpire and continue photosynthesizing under water stress; 3) to map the underlying quantitative variation controlling biomass accumulation under water stress and 4) to evaluate the stress resilient material in field trails comparing performance under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions.
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