Saskatchewan researcher receives over $3 million to study genomics of cold tolerance in cereal crops

06-Oct-2005

The Government of Canada, through Genome Canada, will contribute more than $3 million toward a $6-million genomics research project at the University of Saskatchewan, announced Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance. The project will examine cold tolerance in wheat, barley and rye.

Minister Goodale made the announcement on behalf of David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, who recently announced funding through Genome Canada for 33 research projects across Canada totalling $346-million.

Dr. Brian Fowler, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre, will lead the project. The aim is to identify, characterize and use the biological mechanisms governing low temperature adaptation in wheat, barley and rye to improve cold-hardiness in these crops.

Matching dollars from other partners over the next three years are expected to make up the balance of the project's $6-million budget.

To date, Genome Prairie has invested more than $100-million in eight large-scale projects in areas such as development of new technologies, agriculture, health, and GE(3)LS (ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social issues), as well as bioinformatics.

The Crop Development Centre (CDC) is a field crop research unit in the University of Saskatchewan department of plant sciences which seeks to increase diversification of crops and their products for farmers and Saskatchewan's agricultural industry by improving existing crops, creating new uses for traditional crops, and introducing new crops. Over the past 30 years, the CDC's plant breeding programs have led to the release of more than 232 varieties in 22 crop kinds.

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