Currently the commercial soil testing is reliant on methods that are not compatible with modern emphasis on large datasets and rapid sensing. Spectral-based NIR sensing systems have the potential to reduce per-sample analysis costs by more than 90%, while producing near-instantaneous results in the field. The main goal of this project is to develop methodology to link field NIR data and laboratory analyses by combining the large datasets and advanced data processing techniques with a novel FT-NIR field probe.
Read MoreFusarium head blight (FHB) and stripe rust are two of the five priority diseases of wheat in Canada. This project focuses on genetic mapping of novel major-effect resistance genes to FHB and stripe rust. This research builds on Dr. Brar’s previous work on screening and identifying the resistant lines from 321 Watkins landraces for FHB and stripe rust resistance.
Read MoreThis project focuses on developing innovative nondestructive methodologies to assess the grain kernel images and changes in the nutrient components in cultivars with varying level of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) resistance, using synchrotron based XRF microscopy and spectrometry. This project builds on the previous findings by the research team on the application of Synchrotron Light for crop improvement and rapid screening tools for FHB.
Read MoreThis project will evaluate the efficacy of promising RNA-based fungicides for Fusarium head blight (FHB). Currently, there are no effective sources of resistance protecting wheat against FHB and there is heavy reliance on the use of chemical sprays to control the disease. The development of dsRNA-based fungicidal strategies targeted to prevent pathogen growth and development can limit disease outbreaks and offers an additional method for producers in the integrated pest management strategies.
Read MoreThe digital image platform enhances conventional approaches in which breeders adjudicate crop traits in the field, thus allowing rapid and unbiased assessments, and can be used as a key selection tool by plant breeders, geneticists, producers, and agronomists to optimize both plant breeding and crop management. The proposed ground-based platform will also allow the development of novel digital signatures that differentiate crop lines and help us to understand fundamental physiological processes in a changing environment.
Read MoreIn this project, we are proposing to develop state-of-the-art genomic prediction models for selecting winter hardiness and FHB resistance in winter durum. Over the past five years, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (LRDC) has acquired diverse sources of germplasm and started a germplasm enhancement program with the goal of releasing winter durum cultivars to farmers in Alberta and Western Canada. Similarly, FHB resistance is a priority trait of all Canadian wheat breeding programs. This project aims to genotype the germplasm for genome-wide markers and phenotype the same lines at multi-locations.
Read MoreThe overall objective of this project is to develop a novel way of conducting on-farm agronomic experiments that can be done automatically, and this method is termed as Modulated On-farm Response Surface Experiments (MORSE) by the researcher. This project focuses on a technology development that fuses developments in precision-controlled farm equipment with state-of-the-art advances in crop imaging and image analysis.
Read MoreFungal pathogens, such as Fusarium and rust fungi (stripe, leaf, and stem), are major threats to wheat production, grain safety, and food security in Canada and worldwide. The disease monitoring programs at the Canadian Grain Commission and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada monitor for Fusarium and rust fungi on wheat, which provides important information to improve disease management practices. Current methods for biotyping microbes in wheat are time consuming, laborious, and expensive. In this project, the team will validate a mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) which can discriminate Fusarium and rust species, fungicide resistance and virulence patterns within the species, which will provide a powerful tool for both Fusarium and rust monitoring in wheat.
Read MoreThis project aims to deliver best management practices for an ultra-early seeded durum wheat so that the ultra-early seeding system strategy allows to expand the seeding window for all crops for producers. This 4-year project will attempt to design a seeding system tailored to CWAD by analysing the germplasm within CWAD that would display variation around adaptation to the cold soils and abiotic stresses that occur when planting at or near 0ºC.
Read MoreThis project builds on the ongoing project co-funded by Sask Wheat on Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) resistance to fungicide, in which a Nested Association Mapping population for F. graminearum (FgNAM) was developed by crossing between eight isolates of Fusarium mostly from Saskatchewan and Manitoba and, a high-quality genome assembly have been generated. This population segregates for multiple traits including aggressiveness (quantitative variation of pathogenicity), deoxynivalenol (DON) chemotype (15ADON vs. 3ADON) and concentration and sensitivity to triazole fungicides.
Read MoreThis project focuses on developing CWRS wheat cultivars that are 10-15% higher yielding while meeting protein and baking quality targets. The information that will be generated from this project will address the feasibility of achieving simultaneous genetic improvement in grain yield and baking quality-related traits to develop more resource-use efficient varieties.
Read MoreThe main goal of this comprehensive project is to address the disease resistance breeding in wheat by expanding on the novel genetic and genomic resources that has been established by the research team in CTAG and 4D Wheat projects, co funded by Sask Wheat.
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.
Read MoreThis project will study in-bin natural air drying (with optional low temperature heater) and high temperature drying and combination drying (using high temperature drying followed by in-bin natural air drying) to develop wheat storage and handling guidelines for increased energy efficiency, timely and uniform drying and optimum milling and baking quality of dried wheat.
Read MoreIn this project, a genome wide association study (GWAS) will be used to identify virulence and resistance associated markers from the Canadian stripe rust fungus and wheat genomes, respectively. The project is expected to generate useful tool to track rust changes in Canada and identify resistance in already genotyped elite lines.
Read MoreUsing Genomic Selection (GS), a molecular breeding tool that facilitates the selection of lines with genotypic information available only through prediction models constructed based on a training population, this project will integrate GS in routine CPSR breeding to improve traits such as grain yield, resistance to diseases, and early maturity. This will help to more rapidly develop high yielding competitive CPSR cultivars.
Read MoreDeveloping durum wheat varieties that are less susceptible to ergot has become a rising priority. With the goal of enhancing the level of understanding of genetic resistance for ergot in the breeding germplasm, this study will include extensive multi-year phenotyping and next generation genotyping of genetic populations, strategic parental selection and crossing, gene stacking and molecular phenotyping using the Canadian Light Source platform.
Read MoreThus, this project focuses on understanding the genes involved in high yield and high protein in Canadian germplasm such as AAC GoldNet, a recently registered cultivar with simultaneous increase in yield and protein. The objective is to map and identify high grain protein content QTL and verify QTL that are “keeping pace” with grain yield improvement using double haploid populations.
Read MoreThe main goal of this project is to develop methodology to link field NIR data and laboratory analyses by combining the large datasets and advanced data processing techniques with a novel FT-NIR field probe. Currently the commercial soil testing is reliant on methods that are not compatible with modern emphasis on large datasets and rapid sensing. Spectral-based NIR sensing systems have the potential to reduce per-sample analysis costs by more than 90%, while producing near-instantaneous results in the field.
Read MoreFusarium head blight (FHB) and stripe rust are two of the five priority diseases of wheat in Canada. This project focuses on genetic mapping of novel major-effect resistance genes to FHB and stripe rust. This research builds on Dr. Brar’s previous work on screening and identifying the resistant lines from 321 Watkins landraces for FHB and stripe rust resistance. In this study 2 resistant lines will be used to genetically map the genes conferring resistance to the two diseases.
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