Genetics and improvement of earliness in Canadian spring wheat

  • Term: 3 years, beginning in 2018

  • Status: Complete (CLICK HERE for the performance story)

  • Funding Amount: $150,000

  • Lead Researcher(s): Dean Spaner (University of Alberta)

  • Funding Partners: Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC)

Project Description

This project focuses on investigating the genetic basis of earliness in Canadian spring wheat and to develop early maturing, high-yielding, high-quality wheat varieties.

The main objective of this project is to screen uncharacterized Canadian spring wheat for major vernalization response genes (Vrn) genes; to develop new combinations of Vrn alleles in CWRS wheat; to map QTL for earliness per se and develop markers associated with earliness; and to develop mapping populations for future work. This project will provide useful information for breeding early maturing wheat, resulting in the development of germplasm and cultivars with the desired combination of Vrn genes. Early maturity in wheat is important for timely harvest to avoid frost damage and other harvest and post-harvest problems. A better understanding of maturity will help ensure higher quality wheat yields for consumers and growers alike.

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