PROJECT OVERVIEW

Wheat and Oats for Organic and Low-Input Production: Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation

Dr. Martin Entz

Department of Plant Science

University of Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3T 2N2  Canada

(204) 474-6077

ARDI Project:

Total Approved:

Date Approved:

Project Status:

#06-784

$50,000

March 5, 2007

In Progress

Weeds and diseases are major constraints to organic wheat and oat production, so varieties with greater weed competitiveness and superior disease resistance are very important.  Organic wheat breeding programs in Saskatchewan and Alberta are less likely to produce durable disease resistance in cereals than if the selection were conducted in Manitoba.  There is no other organic oat breeding program in Canada.  In Europe, wheat varieties have been specifically bred for organic production.  These varieties were selected for and tested exclusively under organic management.  Among nutrients, nitrogen is not typically limiting on organic farms but phosphorus can be.  While long-term organic fields still have high levels of total P; available P is lower in organic production.  Mycorrhizal soil fungi, which are more abundant in organic vs. conventional soils in Manitoba, help wheat and other organic crops access this less available P.

This research project involves 4 components; all aimed at developing wheat and oat varieties adapted to low-input and organic management systems:

1. Early generation screening of wheat and oat germplasm.

2. Screening parental lines and F6-F7 wheat lines for mycorrhizal colonization and P uptake.

3. Yield testing of wheat and oats developed for low-input and organic management.

4. Does selecting wheat in an organic environment actually make plants more adapted to organic soil growing conditions?

Co-Applicants of this project are Drs. Stephen Fox and Jennifer Mitchell-Fetch, Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The Donner Canadian Foundation is a funding partner.

ARDI Home - Contact ARDI