Identifying the optimal root system architecture (RSA) for Brassica crops
Term: 4 years, beginning in 2018
Status: Ongoing
Researcher(s): Isobel Parkin, AAFC
SaskCanola Investment: $120,745
Total Project Cost: $479,977
Funding Partners: Agriculture Development Fund - $359,232
Project Description
The current project aims to define a root system architecture (RSA) that contributes to improved NUE for canola and will allow the reduction of nitrogen inputs while maintaining productivity. With increasing temperatures predicted for the Prairies in coming years it is becomes imperative to generate climate resilient crops. The ability of the crop to utilize available water has often been associated with elements of root architecture. The current project aims to assess the association of root architecture with NUE and water use efficiency (WUE) in an attempt to identify the optimal architecture for crop productivity under normal and limiting conditions. Using intelligent crop design to develop new varieties with improved root systems and concurrently enhanced NUE and WUE will have an immediate impact on Saskatchewan producers profitability and will lead to a more sustainable crop for Canadian farmers and consumers, increasing the overall competitiveness of Canadian canola.
Objectives
To understand the level of natural variation of RSA in Brassica napus.
To identify the regions of the genome contributing to variation in RSA.