Phenotyping fusarium head blight for genetic enhancement of wheat

• Term:  2 years, starting in 2019

• Status: Complete (CLICK HERE to read the performance story)

• Funding Amount: $129,013

• Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Anita Brulé-Babel (University of Manitoba)

• Funding Partners: Alberta Wheat Commission, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association

Project Description

The overall objectives of this project are to:

• enhance FHB phenotyping capacity for spring and winter wheat breeders and geneticists by testing up to 5000 spring wheat lines;

• generate individual plot data for Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) and DON for variety registration trials, post registration trials, and University of Manitoba winter wheat populations; and

• generate phenotypic data for ongoing genetic studies being conducted by collaborators.

The enhanced capacity of this nursery will speed up the rate of cultivar development by identifying resistant genotypes earlier and shortening the breeding cycle, and by assisting in development and validation of genetic and genomics tools for application in breeding programs. Due to the specialized nature of FHB phenotyping, all researchers will benefit from the efficiencies of evaluating genetic materials under uniform conditions provided by the University of Manitoba infrastructure that was designed specifically for phenotyping disease resistance.  Development of FHB resistant cultivars will protect the wheat industry from losses to this disease, ensure continued competitiveness of Canadian wheat in international markets, and ensure that Canadian wheat is a healthy and safe product for use as food and feed worldwide.  Finally, this nursery will provide training for undergraduate students that will contribute to Canada’s human resource and ensure that we remain competitive in wheat research worldwide.