Developing Canadian Western Red Spring wheat varieties for northern areas

This project is funded through the Canadian National Wheat Cluster.

  • Term:  5 years, ending in 2023

  • Status: Ongoing

  • Funding Amount: $150,000

  • Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Santosh Kumar (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon)

  • Funding Partners: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Wheat Commission, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association, Western Grain Research Foundation

Project Description

This project seeks to develop Canadian Western Red Spring wheat varieties targeting the Parkland region, from north-eastern British Columbia to northern Manitoba. The project is targeting cultivars with an improved agronomic package, reduced height and stronger straw strength, maintenance of early maturity, and increasing yield. They are also seeking to maintain or improve resistance to leaf rust, stem rust, stripe rust, common bunt, and fusarium head blight, and to achieve Sm1-based orange wheat blossom midge resistance. End use quality priorities are to meet the current CWRS gluten strength requirements and to provide good grade-retention to growers.

Variety Development, Pests & Disease, FHB, Wheat MidgeGuest User2018-2019, All Projects