New and Ongoing Projects
NEW PROJECTS
FERTILITY MANAGEMENT
Biological nitrogen fixation in canola
Principal Investigator: Alicia Ziemienowicz, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge
Funding: Alberta Canola, Alberta Innovates, Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), Alberta’s Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)
Objectives: To generate canola with the trait of biological nitrogen fixation. This trait would allow crops to grow more efficiently in nitrogen-deficient soil, making them independent of nitrogen fertilizers.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Enhance understanding of cleavers populations in western Canada
Principal Investigator: Breanne Tidemann, AAFC Lacombe
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, WGRF
Objectives: To look for cleavers biotypes on the Prairies based on emergence phenology, whorl/branch number, seed production, and seed weight. Evaluate emergence timing of cleavers populations. Screen for quinclorac resistance.
The role of insect feeding and plant defense responses in Aster Yellows disease epidemiology
Principal Investigator: Sean Prager, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: Alberta Canola, Manitoba
Canola Growers
Objectives: To quantify the feeding behaviour of aster leafhoppers on different host plants and examine the relationship between feeding time and aster yellows phytoplasma.
Investigating interactions of ascospores and pycidiospores with blackleg resistance in canola and efficacy of seed applied fungicides
Principal Investigator: Dilantha Fernando, University of Manitoba
Funding: SaskCanola
Objectives: To develop a protocol to efficiently produce ascospore and pycnidiospore inoculum with defined Avr profile for resistance screening. To assess interactions of inoculum types with blackleg resistance. To evaluate seed-applied fungicides.
Investigating the role of plant hosts in the outbreaks of the aster leafhopper vectored Aster Yellows
Principal Investigator: Sean Prager, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, WGRF
Objectives: To evaluate several crop and non-crop species commonly found in the Canadian Prairies as possible hosts for aster leafhopper development and/or phytoplasma infection.
Purifying genotypes of P. brassicae and developing markers linked to races of P. brassicae collected in Western Canada
Principal Investigator: Fengqun Yu, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers, WGRF
Objectives: To develop markers linked to races of P. brassicae (the pathogen that causes clubroot), similar to the technology used for blackleg. First step is an efficient method to produce near pure genotype isolates (NPGI).
Insecticide susceptibility and resistance monitoring of flea beetles in canola
Principal Investigator: Boyd Mori, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, WGRF, RDAR
Objectives: To determine the susceptibility of the striped and crucifer flea beetle to various registered insecticides and investigate the mechanisms of insecticide tolerance.
Study of the effects of Brassica root architecture and fertilizer application on clubroot disease severity
Principal Investigator: Stephen Strelkov, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, WGRF, RDAR
Objectives: To investigate the association between brassica root architecture and nitrogen treatments on clubroot severity
and crop yield.
Manipulating weed seed production through phenology-based weed control
Principal Investigator: Charles Geddes, AAFC Lethbridge
Funding: Alberta Canola, Alberta Wheat Commission, SaskWheat, WGRF
Objectives: To improve our understanding of weed phenology in Western Canada, and use that information to develop strategies to reduce the amount of weed seed returned to the soil. This will help with herbicide-resistant weed management.
Understanding Fusarium wilt and root rot of hybrid canola
Principal Investigator: Sheau-Fang Hwang, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, RDAR
Objectives: To optimize cultural methods to control the fusarium pathogens causing seedling blight and root rot and wilt of canola.
Exploring further possibilities and advancements of using bio-control entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs)
Principal Investigator: Shabeg Briar, Olds College
Funding: Alberta Canola, RDAR
Objectives: To assess the management of root maggots and cutworms using commercially available entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs); to identify and explore locally adapted virulent strains of EPNs.
Incorporation of abiotic and biotic factors for development of stage-structured predictive models of flea beetles
Principal Investigator: Maya Evenden, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, RDAR
Objectives: To develop a weather-dependent, stage-structured deterministic developmental model for both flea beetle species and evaluate appropriate base temperature thresholds for predictions of flea beetles in canola.
Promotion of Wetland Stewardship Best Management Practices Through a Targeted Water Monitoring Project
Principal Investigator: Tony Ciarla, Millenium EMS Solutions
Funding: Alberta Canola and various other public and private funders
Objectives: To evaluate wetland management practices in mitigating the movement of crop protection products into wetlands and aquatic ecosystems. This will help ensure that farmers have access to crop protection tools by continuing to follow sound environmental stewardship.
GENETICS
Using avirulence markers to predict the phenotypes of clubroot pathotypes
Principal Investigator: Edel Pérez-López, Université Laval
Funding: Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers, WGRF
Objectives: To optimize a hydroponic bioassay to phenotype the interaction between canola and P. brassicae; to identify P. brassicae avirulence markers; to design and implement a multiplex PCR assay able to differentiate P. brassicae isolates.
Building bridges to success – Accessing Brassica diploid variation for Canola improvement
Principal Investigator: Steve Robinson, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers, SaskCanola
Objectives: To test new technology for blackleg resistance breeding. Domesticated diploid bridging species in combination with targeted diploid germplasm will increase the efficiency to introduce and evaluate new resistance alleles into B. napus.
New clubroot Pathotypes and Second Generation Resistance
Principal Investigator: Stephen Strelkov, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, WGRF
Objectives: To evaluate the infectivity of the most important P. brassicae pathotypes on a suite of canola cultivars with second-generation resistance.
ONGOING PROJECTS
PLANT ESTABLISHMENT
Understanding grain pneumatic conveying in seeding equipment
Principal Investigator: Lorne Grieger, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI)
Funding: SaskCanola, Ag Action Manitoba
Objectives: To look at factors in air seeder components that affect small seed distribution and viability, both in the field and in computer simulations.
How does in-row seed spacing and spatial pattern affect canola yield?
Principal Investigator: Steve Shirtliffe, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola
Objectives: To determine the optimum distance canola plants should have from their neighbour, both within rows and between rows, so they can survive to produce maximum yield at existing seeding rates.
Manipulating agronomic factors for optimum canola harvest timing, productivity and crop sequencing.
Principal Investigator: Brian Beres, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge
Funding: Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP)
Objectives: To look at the canola yield effect of seeding rates, hybrid maturity and harvest method.
FERTILITY MANAGEMENT
Enhancing the beneficial root microbiome in Canada
Principal Investigator: Chantal Hamel, AAFC Ottawa
Funding: CAP, Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers, Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), NSERC
Objectives: To identify the prokaryotic community within the canola-specific root rhizosphere, and follow up to see how beneficial associative microorganisms could help to improve crop yield.
Canola frequency effects on nutrient turnover and root-microbe interactions
Principal Investigator: Tim Dumonceaux, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola
Objectives: To better understand the effects of short canola rotations on soil nutrients and microbiology, this project examines root nutrient fluxes and plant, soil, and root-associated microbes using herbicide-resistant commercial varieties of canola.
Optimal source, placement and application timing for yield and reduction of greenhouse gas footprint for canola
Principal Investigator: Mario Tenuta, University of Manitoba
Funding: Manitoba Canola Growers, SaskCanola
Objectives: To improve nitrogen use efficiency of fertilizer for canola production on light texture soils, looking at enhanced efficiency fertilizer products, placement and timing.
Understanding canola root morphology and microbiomes in response to soil phosphorus fertility
Principal Investigator: Bobbi Helgason, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola
Objectives: To determine how canola root architecture and the root-associated microbiome impact the plant’s ability to forage for phosphorus. This can help to develop strategies for overcoming phosphorus deficiency in canola production.
SKSIS-3: Synergies and Sustainability for the Saskatchewan Soil Information System
Principal Investigator: Angela Bedard-Haughn, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, WGRF, SaskWheat
Objectives: To enhance SKSIS by developing and integrating predictive soil mapping tools into SKSIS, and by creating a standalone SKSIS feature for efficient use in internet-deficient areas.
Revising the crop nutrient uptake and removal guidelines for Western Canada
Principal Investigator: Fran Walley, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: WGRF, SaskCanola and other commodity groups
Objectives: To determine and revise estimates of the nutrient uptake and removal of crops commonly grown in western Canada, and to develop a user-friendly online and mobile app for determining nutrient uptake and removal estimates.
Using Modulated On-farm Response Surface Experiments (MORSE) to develop evidence-based, agronomic recommendations
Principal Investigator: Steve Shirtliffe, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, Sask Wheat, WGRF
Objectives: To develop methodology that will allow crop input experiments to be performed using Modulated On-farm Response Surface Experiments, to refine image-based technology as a tool to assess crop response variables, including yield.
Enhancing the Saskatchewan Soil Health Assessment Protocol – Phase 2
Principal Investigator: Kate Congreves, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, SaskWheat
Objectives: To build on the Saskatchewan Soil Health Testing Protocol so that it outputs soil zone-specific scores; to incorporate novel microbial measurements of soil health into the testing protocol; to explore early-indicators of soil health change.
Shining Light on Digital Agriculture: Linking Soil NIR measurements, Fertility, and Crop Yields
Principal Investigator: Derek Peak, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, SaskWheat, Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF)
Objectives: To use spectral sensing to produce spatially-resolved soil-based yield potential maps; and develop methodology to link field near infrared (NIR) data and laboratory analyses.
Impact of Phosphorus Fertilizer Forms on Nutrition of Wheat, Pea and Canola, Soil Fate and Losses in Run-Off Water
Principal Investigator: Jeff Schoenau, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, SaskWheat, SaskPulse, WGRF
Objectives: To assess how phosphorus fertilizer forms, placement, and rate affect crop responses, fate in the soil, and run-off losses in Saskatchewan soils.
Improving nitrogen use efficiency and soil sustainability in canola production across Canada
Principal Investigator: Bao-luo Ma, AAFC Ottawa
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To assess and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); to identify root architecture traits for efficient nitrogen acquisition; and to investigate how the soil microbiome responds to nitrogen management.
Collecting the carbon data needed for Climate-Smart agriculture in Saskatchewan
Principal Investigator: Kate Congreves, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, SaskWheat, SaskOats, ADF
Objectives: To provide year-round measurements of greenhouse gas emissions from a representative cropping system in Saskatchewan; to assess 4R practices to minimize carbon footprints; to test if Saskatchewan cropping systems are a net carbon sink.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT – DISEASE
Exploring novel seed-treatment options to mitigate the impact of blackleg on canola
Principal Investigator: Gary Peng, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola
Objectives: To assess the importance of blackleg infection from the soil, and investigate the conditions that affect the success of infection. The information will help understand the potential value of fungicide seed treatment for blackleg.
Monitoring the race dynamics of Leptosphaeria maculans for effective deployment and rotation of resistance genes for sustainable management of blackleg
Principal Investigator: Gary Peng, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To provide an up-to-date L. maculans race profile, which can be used to guide the deployment or rotation of canola cultivars carrying different R genes. To see how pathogen race changes in response to resistant cultivars over the years.
Fine-tuning of the blackleg yield loss model in canola
Principal Investigator: Stephen Strelkov, University of Alberta
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To refine and improve on an earlier yield loss model by using modern hybrid cultivars.
Improving management of blackleg on canola via better flea beetle control and effective fungicide seed treatment in Western Canada
Principal Investigator: Gary Peng, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To assess potential connection between flea beetle feeding and blackleg infection, and whether foliar insecticide, blackleg-resistant cultivar and fungicide seed treatment can alleviate blackleg infection under different flea beetle feeding pressure.
Developing a robust system for efficient assessment of quantitative resistance (QR) in commercial canola varieties for blackleg management
Principal Investigator: Gary Peng, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To explore a ddPCR-based protocol to measure quantitative resistance (QR) to blackleg in canola. Once developed and validated, this can quantify QR in canola cultivars and help screen QR traits in commercial canola breeding lines.
Understanding the critical infection window that causes blackleg of canola in Western Canada
Principal Investigator: Gary Peng, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To understand how quantitative resistance (QR) affects the success of stem infection via cotyledons or lower true leaves. The information may help fine-tune the timing of fungicide, including use of seed treatment.
Managing small patches of clubroot infestation in canola fields
Principal Investigator: Bruce Gossen, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To develop practical recommendations to manage small patches of clubroot. Includes lab studies of rotation crops and grass cover crops, field studies of liming and grasses, and tests to estimate resting spore numbers in soil.
Influence of pH on the clubroot pathogen: are there pH-insensitive strains?
Principal Investigator: Stephen Strelkov, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To determine whether strains of the clubroot pathogen respond differentially to soil pH and whether pathogen strains can become adapted to high pH conditions.
Clubroot inoculum management for sustainable canola production
Principal Investigator: Stephen Strelkov, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
Objectives: To determine the spore population levels that are safe for the use of clubroot-resistant cultivars and develop a knowledge-based resistance deployment strategy.
A rapid molecular assay to identify Plasmodiophora brassicae pathotypes from plant and soil samples
Principal Investigator: Stephen Strelkov, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
Objectives: To generate an effective rapid molecular assay (PCR-based) to identify abundance and diversity of P. brassicae pathotypes in soil and plant samples; and to use genetic variability among pathotypes to identify genes of interest related to infection.
Developing single-spore isolates of pathotypes of Plasmodiophora brassicae
Principal Investigator: Bruce Gossen, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To develop techniques for isolating and whole-genome sequencing of single spores of P. brassicae, the pathogen that causes clubroot.
Application of hyperspectral imaging for detection and mapping of small patch clubroot infestations in commercial canola fields
Principal Investigator: David Halstead, Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To identify readily applied diagnostic features for remote imaging and mapping small clubroot patches and develop a diagnostic tool; to refine and validate diagnostic tool for identifying small patch clubroot infestations.
A proteomics-based approach towards identifying host and pathogen proteins critical to clubroot establishment in canola
Principal Investigator: Christopher Todd, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: WGRF, SaskCanola
Objectives: To identify P. brassicae effector proteins and to identify differentially expressed proteins in clubroot-susceptible and clubroot-resistant canola lines.
Genome-wide functional analysis of Plasmodiophora Brassicae effectors and the management of clubroot disease
Principal Investigator: Peta Bonham- Smith, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Objectives: To profile P. brassicae candidate effector proteins secreted by the clubroot pathogen during secondary infection, and identify their target plant proteins. Target protein mutants are potential sources of resistance to clubroot disease.
Defining populations of Plasmodiophora brassicae with near isogenic Brassica napus lines
Principal Investigator: Fengqun Yu, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To develop a set of near isogenic B. napus lines containing single clubroot-resistance genes, and to define the populations of P. brassicae with the newly developed near isogenic lines.
Clubroot Pillar 3: Host-pathogen biology and interaction
Principal Investigator: Bruce Gossen, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To examine factors that affect resting spore survival, germination and infection; to examine quantitative resistance to see if it might increase the durability of resistance genes; to evaluate strategies to maximize the durability of resistance.
Biopesticides as a Novel Management Strategy for Sclerotinia in Canola
Principal Investigator: Susan Boyetchko, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To screen and evaluate the biopesticide potential of selected bacterial strains that are indigenous to the Canadian Prairies and determine their ability to control disease development and growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in canola.
Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum effectors in canola
Principal Investigator: Dwayne Hegedus, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To simplify the identification of Brassica napus canola lines with tolerance to sclerotinia stem rot.
Development of a biosensor for Sclerotinia stem rot disease forecasting in canola
Principal Investigator: Xiujie (Susie) Li, InnoTech Alberta
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To develop an in-field real-time sensor to monitor plant disease pathogens, specifically the sclerotinia stem rot pathogens. The sensor would notify the farmer, via cell phone, when a disease outbreak is imminent.
Improving the management of sclerotinia stem rot of canola using fungicides and better risk assessment tools
Principal Investigator: Kelly Turkington, AAFC Lacombe
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To study how the relationship between inoculum availability and environmental conditions before and during flowering impacts stem rot risk and fungicide response; to study how crop development and variability in flowering impact fungicide efficacy; to test fungicide application timing.
Verticillium Stripe – The Disease Management
Principal Investigator: Sheau-Fang Hwang and Stephen Strelkov, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To determine the effects of growth stage and inoculation techniques on host infection, and to evaluate the effects of disease severity on plant growth and yield at different inoculum concentrations.
Verticillium disease etiology and nursery
Principal Investigator: Dilantha Fernando, University of Manitoba
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To identify and characterize Verticillium longisporum isolates from across the Prairies; to investigate the longevity of micro-sclerotia in canola stems, and monitor pathogen movement in soil or through space; to look for resistant canola lines.
Genetics and genomics of Brassica-Verticillium interaction
Principal Investigator: Hossein Borhan, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To identify verticillium-resistant B. napus (canola) lines and to develop pathogen diagnostic tools.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT – INSECTS
Evaluating the effect of canola seeding rate and seed size seeded into wheat stubble on flea beetle damage and population
Principal Investigator: María Angélica Ouellette, North Peace Applied Research Association
Funding: Alberta Canola
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of seeding rate, seed size, and seeding date on flea beetle damage – specifically for the North Peace region.
Effect of hairiness in brassica lines on the abundance, feeding and oviposition behavior of flea beetles, DBM and aster leafhopper
Principal Investigator: Chrystel Olivier, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, Alberta Canola
Objectives: To determine the effects of trichomes (hairs) on the feeding and/or egg-laying behaviour of three canola pests: striped flea beetle, diamondback moth (DBM) and aster leafhopper.
Generate knowledge and control strategies for the pollen beetle Brassicogethes viridescens
Principal Investigator: Christine Noronha, AAFC Charlottetown
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To establish economic thresholds for pollen beetle and continue the surveillance program in Western Canada to monitor the presence/absence of pollen beetles.
Identification and assessment of the role of natural enemies in pest (diamondback moth) suppression in canola
Principal Investigator: Maya Evenden and Sharavari Kulkarni, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola
Objectives: To monitor natural enemies associated with diamondback moth (DBM); to understand relationships between DBM and its natural enemies and to develop dynamic action thresholds; and to understand factors that enhance parasitism.
Monitoring the canola flower midge within pheromone-baited traps
Principal Investigator: Boyd Mori, University of Alberta
Funding: WGRF, Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To develop a pheromone-monitoring tool for the canola flower midge and enhance our knowledge of the factors that contribute to its pest status.
Continuing to watch the winds: the origin and arrival of migrant aster leafhoppers and diamondback moths
Principal Investigator: Tyler Wist, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, WGRF
Objectives: To pinpoint the southern origins of diamondback moth and aster leafhopper; to see if alfalfa could be a green bridge for aster yellows phytoplasma in Saskatchewan; to develop aster yellows risk index.
Identifying key predators and their role in canola insect pest suppression
Principal Investigator: Boyd Mori, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers, WGRF
Objectives: To identify the key natural enemies in the canola agroecosystem by detecting pest insect DNA in guts of predators, and to begin quantifying their pest suppression ability.
Surveillance networks for beneficial Insects II
Principal Investigator: Paul Galpern, University of Calgary
Funding: Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers
Objectives: To determine how far services extend from beneficial anthropod reservoirs and how much beneficial anthropod reservoirs contribute to canola yield by using precision agriculture.
Integrated approaches for flea beetle control II
Principal Investigator: Alejandro Costamagna, University of Manitoba
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To improve flea beetle management in general by studying the effect of plant density in flea beetle management, the effect of stem feeding damage, the role of natural enemies on flea beetle management, and regional predictive models for flea
beetle abundance.
Genetic resources for flea beetle resistance in canola
Principal Investigator: Dwayne Hegedus, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To investigate the complexity of the hairy trait and will provide canola breeders with hairy lines, and associated genetic markers, to allow its introduction into canola varieties.
Biological control of cabbage seedpod weevil in the Prairies
Principal Investigator: Hector Carcamo, AAFC Lethbridge
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To assess the efficacy of T. perfectus in managing seedpod weevil in Quebec and its non-target effects in Eastern Canada. To document the species of weevils and parasitoids in cultivated and uncultivated habitats that could be affected directly or indirectly in the Prairies.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT – WEEDS
Herbicide resistant kochia and Russian thistle prairie surveys
Principal Investigator: Julia Leeson, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: WGRF, SaskCanola and other commodity groups
Objectives: To determine the distribution and abundance of glyphosate-resistant or auxinic-resistant kochia and other targeted weeds, including Russian thistle, waterhemp, and ragweed species in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Prairie weed surveys
Principal Investigator: Julia Leeson, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: WGRF, SaskCanola, and other commodity groups
Objectives: “To complete the sixth set of weed surveys in the Prairie Provinces since the series of provincial surveys began in the mid-1970s. To summarize existing weed survey information and conduct a new series of general weed surveys.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT – OTHER
Impact of drought and heat during flowering on canola yield
Principal Investigator: Raju Soolanayakanahally, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To see how drought, heat and a combination of the two can affect canola seed yield, oil composition and carbon assimilation.
Characterizing Turbulent Spray Deposition from Self-Propelled Sprayers
Principal Investigator: Tom Wolf, Agrimetrix Research & Training
Funding: SaskCanola, Alberta Canola
Objectives: To compare the uniformity of spray deposition for various commercial sprayers.
GENETICS
Contribution of individual defence genes to sclerotinia resistance in canola
Principal Investigator: Lone Buchwaldt, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To determine the contribution of lectin genes to sclerotinia resistance in canola, to determine the contributio of penetration-
resistance genes to sclerotinia resistance in canola, and to determine the contribution of other candidate defense genes to sclerotinia resistance in canola.
Preserving hybrid vigour through a novel apomixis breeding strategy in Brassica crops
Principal Investigator: Tim Sharbel, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To generate diploid, hybrid unbalanced apomictic boechera backcrosses; to transfer apomixis from these lines into sexual bridging species; to generate apomictic brassica crops via intergeneric crosses.
Modified lipid metabolism to deliver improved low temperature tolerance in Brassica napus
Principal Investigator: Mark Smith, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To apply a targeted approach to identify new traits to confer improved low temperature tolerance in seedling canola.
Establishing transgene-free CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing platform to improve canola resistance to clubroot
Principal Investigator: Wei Xiao, University of Saskatchewan
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To establish transgene-free CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing platform to support canola breeding programs, to identify novel clubroot resistance genes and create novel resistance allelic variants in elite canola germplasms.
Increasing abiotic (drought) and biotic (clubroot) resistance in Brassica species by modifying auxin response
Principal Investigator: Jocelyn Ozga, University of Alberta
Funding: SaskCanola, Alberta Canola, NSERC
Objectives: To develop novel genetically-improved canola, using a biotechnological approach, that is more resistant to both biotic (clubroot disease) and abiotic (drought) stress.
Improving heat and drought resistance in canola through regulating DGAT1 activity
Principal Investigator: Gavin Chen, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola
Objectives: To generate and evaluate canola lines with distinct modifications of DGAT1 enzyme under heat and drought stress and to identify additional candidate genes related to heat and drought stress. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) can increase tolerance to drought, heat or freezing
stress in arabidopsis.
Identification and exploitation of genome structural variants for trait improvement in Prairie crops
Principal Investigator: Andrew Sharpe, Global Institute for Food Security
Funding: SaskCanola, SaskWheat, Alberta Wheat, WGRF
Objectives: To develop canola and wheat pan-genome structural variant (PanSV) atlases; to develop high-throughput structural variant (SV) genotyping pipeline; to associate SVs with important agronomic traits.
Enhancing yield and biomass in canola by modifying carbohydrate metabolism.
Principal Investigator: Michael Emes, University of Guelph
Funding: CAP
Objectives: When the endogenous leaf starch branching enzymes (SBEs) in arabidopsis are replaced with maize endosperm homologues, the result was a
250 per cent increase in seed oil per plant. Because canola is genetically close to arabidopsis, this study will look into a transfer of the above technology to canola.
Protection of canola from pathogenic fungi using RNA interference technologies
Principal Investigator: Steve Whyard, University of Manitoba
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To synthesize double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and screen for fungicidal activity on sclerotinia stem rot and non-target effects, develop and test topical formulations, and assess the persistence of dsRNAs in the soil.
Exploring Brassica oleracea for resistance to the newly emerged P. brassicae pathotypes
Principal Investigator: Habibur Rahman, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
Objectives: To introgress clubroot resistance genes from the cabbage/cauliflower-type plant species (B. oleracea) into Canadian canola, and develop molecular markers for these genes.
Improvement of the clubroot-resistant canola germplasm of canola × rutabaga cross, and fine mapping of the resistance gene
Principal Investigator: Habibur Rahman, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, Alberta Innovates, Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
Objectives: To develop canola lines that carry the clubroot resistance gene of rutabaga, resulting in clubroot-resistant hybrid canola cultivars.
Introgression of clubroot resistance from B.rapa into B.napus canola and identification of molecular markers for resistance
Principal Investigator: Habibur Rahman, University of Alberta
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola
Objectives: To introgress clubroot resistance (CR) from B. rapa to canola. The B. rapa germplasm used in this research carries resistance to pathotypes 3 and 3A. This could be a new source of resistance.
Re-synthesizing Brassica napus with clubroot resistance from C-genome
Principal Investigator: Fengqun Yu, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: Alberta Canola, Alberta Innovates
Objectives: To generate new and unique germplasm and make it available to canola breeders to develop cultivars with broad spectrum of resistance to clubroot in Western Canada.
Genetic dissection of the RLM3-4-7-9 blackleg R gene cluster and KASP marker improvement
Principal Investigator: Hossein Borhan, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To identify the Rlm3, 4, 7, 9 genes for resistance against blackleg, develop allele specific markers B. napus donor lines for canola breeding and understand the function of these genes.
From field to the genome. Application of 3rd generation sequencing to direct genotyping of canola pathogens
Principal Investigator: Hossein Borhan, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola
Objectives: To help canola growers with management of clubroot disease, researchers propose to develop a sensitive and rapid diagnostic tool to detect the presence of pathogen and determine the pathotypes present and the relative abundance.
Overcoming blackleg disease in canola through establishment of quantitative resistance
Principal Investigator: Hossein Borhan, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola
Objectives: To clone adult plant resistance (APR) genes against blackleg disease, to characterize the host pathways triggered by these genes, and to incorporate APR genes into commercial canola cultivars by marker-assisted breeding and gene editing.
Developing tools for the rapid screening of canola germplasm for quantitative resistance to blackleg disease
Principal Investigator: Hossein Borhan, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To optimize a protocol for identifying adult plant resistance (APR) to blackleg disease under controlled conditions and validate results in the field; to develop molecular markers associated with APR genes.
To standardize the nomanclature of blackleg resistance genes
Principal Investigator: Hossein Borhan, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola
Objectives: To help in the international effort to locate new blackleg resistance genes, researchers need a universal protocol so they’re not finding the same gene multiple times but giving it different names – which is happening.
Developing tools for the rapid screening of canola germplasm for quantitative resistance to disease
Principal Investigator: Hossein Borhan, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To develop a protocol to screen for quantitative resistance to blackleg in canola germplasm under controlled environmental conditions in growth chambers.
Weeding Out Secondary Dormancy Potential From Volunteer Canola
Principal Investigator: Sally Vail, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To look for the genomic regions harbouring the genes controlling secondary dormancy in Brassica napus; to identify molecular markers to facilitate selection; to scan B. napus lines for lower secondary dormancy, perhaps identifying parent lines less likely to become volunteers.
Pre-breeding lines combining canola quality with sclerotinia resistance, good agronomy and genomic diversity from PAK93
Principal Investigator: Sally Vail, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: WGRF, Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers, SaskCanola
Objectives: To develop resistant pre-breeding lines that combine desirable traits in PAK93 with canola seed quality and shatter resistance from AAFC’s elite lines; to form a consortium of breeding companies interested in funding final selection of pre-breeding lines.
Addressing yield stability drivers of canola in a changing climate using high throughput phenotyping
Principal Investigator: Sally Vail, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: WGRF, Manitoba Canola Growers, SaskCanola
Objectives: To fund field trials of the B. napus nested association mapping (NAM) germplasm resource in contrasting climatic environments. This will provide a sufficient datatset to test and apply phenotyping and selection techniques to improve canola yield stability.
Manipulating recombination in crop polyploids
Principal Investigator: Isobel Parkin, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, National Research Council (NRC), AAFC
Objectives: To identify homologues of gene candidates controlling homoeologous recombination in canola, wheat and Camelina sativa, to develop constructs for gene knock-outs using CRISPR technology.
Identifying the optimal root system architecture (RSA) for Brassica crops
Principal Investigator: Isobel Parkin, AAFC Saskatoon
Funding: SaskCanola, ADF
Objectives: To understand the level of natural variation of root system architecture (RSA) for Brassica napus, to identify the regions of the genome contributing to variation in RSA and to assess the variation for improving nitrogen-use efficiency.
Identification and genetic mapping of novel genes for resistance to blackleg
Principal Investigator: Dilantha Fernando, University of Manitoba
Funding: SaskCanola, Alberta Canola
Objectives: To identify and map new sources of blackleg resistance.
Improving blackleg resistance durability through R-gene rotation in commercial fields
Principal Investigator: Dilantha Fernando, University of Manitoba
Funding: CAP
Objectives: To monitor blackleg incidence and severity in selected commercial fields with different R-gene rotations. This will develop empirical data of blackleg avirulence gene changes in the growers’ fields in response to R-gene rotations.