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Adapting wheat to arid environments: mining Canadian germplasm for reduced night-time water loss and improved water productivtiy

Crop Types
  • Wheat
Collaborating Locations

Background

Wheat continues to lose water even during night-time when temperatures drop. In the absence of photosynthesis during darkness, this portion of the wasteful water loss could be reduced by selecting for low night-time transpiration The knowledge, germplasm and markers generated from this project will accelerate breeding cycles and benefit the wheat industry.

Objectives

  1. Quantify the range of night-time transpiration water loss in a collection of wheat accessions
  2. Identify stomatal strategies that allow wheat to thrive and maintain high yield under arid environments
  3. Assess the role of epicuticular waxes and individual components on water loss.
  4. Identify the underlying genetic basis of contrasting wheat lines with varying night-time water losses by gene expression studies
  5. Showcase the most promising lines for improved productivity under arid environments through field days

Project Details

Principal Investigator
Dr. Raju Soolanayakanahally
Project Status
Ongoing
Start Date
2019
Completion Date
2024
Funding Partners
ADF, AWC, WGRF, SWDC
Total Project Cost
439277
MCA Funding
10000

Field Issues

  • Abiotic Stress

Keywords

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