Grainswest - Winter 2024

Winter 2024 Grains West 24 of the crop, the midge’s own genetics do not evolve to overcome the defences of the resistant wheat. “We’re 10 years into that program and those genetics have stayed viable,” she added. Semi-dwarf wheat cultivars are a direct response to the need for better standability in Tomlinson’s region north of Edmonton. Traditional varieties wouldn’t have held up to the heavier fertilizer rates in use there today, but semi-dwarf varieties can handle what they’re given. They’ve also withstood significant rainfall in recent years—two or three times the normal volume of moisture according to Tomlinson. “It speeds up harvest, because we’re not trying to pick up a crop that’s flat to the ground.” The development of semi-dwarf malting barley varieties is a similar story. In the past, an early snowfall would knock down older varieties, reducing the barley to feed quality. “You wouldn’t have a chance to maybe still get malt,” said Tomlinson. Genetics have changed the game. With a growing world population, sustainable cereal production is more important than ever. The crops offer consumers an accessible option to other sources of plant and animal protein. “You don’t usually think of wheat being a protein crop, but it’s actually 20 per cent of global protein consumption,” said Comin. “People choose wheat products because they’re cheap.” Reducing disease, decreasing inputs and maximizing yield can keep supply strong and help ensure cereal products can remain an inexpensive form of dietary protein around the world. Growth in the global population also shrinks the agricultural land base as cities expand. With that, farmers face pressure to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration while they produce high-yielding, high-quality cereals. Together with good management practices, genetics play a massive role in meeting these demands. “You can do so much more if you manage your crop based on the genetic package that you have, so understanding your genetics is really important,” said Comin. “That’s how we’re going to be able to feed the world while our agricultural lands contract.” The possibilities of plant breeding expand as new technologies emerge. Most notably, gene editing is a technique that makes specific modifications to a cell’s DNA. “There’s a lot of things that need to be considered, including access to our international markets,” added Comin. “I hope that breeders are able to incorporate new breeding innovations like gene editing into their programs.” The use of gene editing to incorporate disease resistance into cereals is an exciting prospect. Comin is also hopeful it can be used to manipulate the proteins involved in the gluten complex in wheat to allow people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity to eat wheat products that contain gluten. Tomlinson views seed farmers as playing a key part in the plant breeding chain as they are at the forefront of new variety trials. Her goal is to give commercial farmers the knowledge they require to choose the best varieties for their farms. “Each farm is dealing with different weather, different soils,” she said. Seed farmers can test out new varieties on a smaller scale before they multiply them for commercial cereal farmers to sow. Cereal farmers constantly adapt to face growing challenges such as the increased cost of inputs, shifting climate and the emergence of new pests and diseases. Plant breeders have a similar goal. “They’re quick enough to see our problems, maybe sometimes faster than we are,” said Tomlinson. “They’re working on the solutions and then they’re ready when we do need them.” New varieties are the backbone of sustainable cereal production, and it is plant breeders who maintain the high-quality cereal products Canada is known for. “I don’t think plant breeders are recognized or thanked often enough for what they have already given us,” said Tomlinson. “We’ve set a bar, and we want to be at this standard. They’re helping us all the time to stay at that bar, if not exceed it.” Produced by: SeCan Ad Number: SEC_ESMA23_FP_GW Product/Campaign: SeCan Esma 2-Row Barley Publication: GrainsWest Date Produced: November 2023 Trim: 8.25” x 10.75” Bleed: 8.5” x 11” Axel Diederichsen, curator and research scientist for the Plant Gene Resources of Canada seed germplasm system said the country’s three gene banks preserve genetic diversity and keep plant material available. Photo courtesy of Axel Diederichsen. FEATURE