Application of biotechnological tools to wheat breeding

This project is funded through the Canadian National Wheat Cluster.

  • Term:  5 years, ending in 2023

  • Status: Ongoing

  • Funding Amount: $74,402

  • Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Ron Knox (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current)

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

Project Description

Cultivar enhancement through the application of biotechnology will reduce losses and save farmers time and money in the form of reduced inputs and downgrading, and by ensuring market share by providing a quality product that is safe to consume. Applied biotechnology will be employed through molecular breeding and doubled haploid production and which improves the efficiency of bringing new gene combinations together and increases the rate at which those gene combinations are deployed to farmers. This project will integrate marker-assisted breeding and high-throughput genotyping technology into traditional breeding programs to allow for early and efficient selection of cultivars with superior traits for pest resistance, agronomic performance, and grain quality.  

Variety DevelopmentSask WheatAll Projects, 2018-2019