Canola AgriScience Cluster Theme 3: Increased Production - Yield and Quality Optimization for Sustainable Supply
Term: 5 years, beginning in 2018
Status: Complete
SaskCanola Investment: $885,920 in Canola AgriScience Cluster Themes 3-6
Total Project Cost: N/A
Funding Partners: ACPC, MCGA and AAFC Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Administered By: Canola Council of Canada
Project Descriptions
1. Manipulating Agronomic Factors for Optimum Canola Harvest Timing, Productivity and Crop Sequencing
Researchers: Brian Beres, Charles Geddes, Breanne Tidemann, William May and Ramona Mohr (AAFC)
Purpose: Objectives for this project are to: (1) understand how manipulations to seeding density, hybrid maturity rating and swath/straight-cut timing alter crop yield and quality; (2) refine best practices in relation to the determination of optimal swath/straight-cut timing as plant density changes and as subsequent changes to canopy architecture, whole plant moisture, seed colour and moisture changes occur; (3) determine how the integration of seeding density, cultivar selection and harvest management system influence canola canopy architecture (pods and branches per plant and per unit area, for example); and (4) provide an economic analysis for low versus high seeding density systems, and straight-cut versus swathing scenarios.
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2. Enhancing Yield and Biomass in Canola by Modifying Carbohydrate Metabolism
Researchers: Michael Emes and Ian Tetlow (University of Guelph)
Purpose: In a previous study, when the Arabidopsis endogenous leaf starch branching enzymes (SBEs) were replaced with maize endosperm homologues ZmSBEI or ZmSBEIIb, the Arabidopsis plants demonstrated significant increases in starch biosynthesis and a dramatic increase in seed production. The result was a 250% increase in total seed oil produced per plant. This project will conduct lab research to see if the corn genes could provide a yield benefit for Brassica napus plants.
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3. Weeding Out Secondary Dormancy Potential from Volunteer Canola
Researchers: Sally Vail, Isobel Parkin, and Steve Robinson (AAFC); Rob Gulden (University of Manitoba); Steve Shirtliffe (University of Saskatchewan)
Purpose: Volunteer canola is becoming an ever-increasing problem. Secondary dormancy, which allows for shed canola seed to remain viable for years in the soil, is a heritable trait that can be selected against in breeding programs. This study will look for the genomic regions harbouring the genes controlling secondary dormancy in Brassica napus, to identify molecular markers to facilitate selection. Once these markers are identified, the project will scan B. napus lines for lower secondary dormancy, perhaps identifying parent lines that are less likely to become volunteer canola plants in the future.
Other References to this Research Project
4. Advancing the Functional, Nutritional and Economic Value of Canola Protein in Canada
Researchers: Rob Duncan, Jim House and Rotimi Aluko (University of Manitoba); Janitha Wanusundara and Isobel Parkin (AAFC Saskatoon); Lee Anne Murphy (MAHRN)
Purpose: Brassica napus varieties with enhanced protein and nutritional qualities could revolutionize meal utilization and functionality in Canada. Objectives of this study are to: (1) screen several Brassica populations for diversity of protein quality and digestibility, and (2) map the genes responsible for protein quality and digestibility. It will also (3) compare conventional, cold pressing and modified processing methods for their impact on protein quality and digestibility.