Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: In Progress
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Jaswinder Singh, McGill University
• Project Dates: January 2023 - January 2026
• Abstract/Summary: Project Lead Dr. Jaswinder Singh (McGill Department of Plant Science) is working with collaborators Dr. Nick Tinker, Wubishet Bekele, Kirby Nilsen, and Jean-Sebastien Parent.
  
  The objectives of this project are:
  
  Identification of regulatory sequences in the identified gene/chromosome region, and refining of gene editing in oat.
  Development of specific CRISPR constructs.
  Transformation of the said constructs into oat for developing mutant lines.
  Genotypic and phenotypic screening of oat mutant lines.
  
  This work could help zero in on problems faced by Prairie oat growers. Oats grow well on the Canadian prairies, but even varieties that flower and mature early can be susceptible to lower yield and disease risk. If CRISPR modifications can produce reliable DNA editing that can predict the influence on all traits, then in the future oat breeders* could engineer superior germplasm by modifying a single specific gene that would help producers harness the crop's biological potential. *Note: If there is a desire by both producers and oat buyers for use of the technology in oats.

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Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: Completed
• Abstract/Summary: The objective of this project was to demonstrate how seedling vigour of oats can be improved by screening out smaller less vigorous seed. Increasing the average seed size of a seed lot should result in greater emergence, improved stand establishment, greater competitiveness against wild oats, earlier maturity and greater yield.

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Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Kirby Nilsen and Prairie Oat Breeding Consortium (POBC)
• Project Dates: April 2018 –March 2023
• Abstract/Summary: The objective of the Prairie Oat Breeding Consortium (POBC) is to develop new oat cultivars suited to production in western Canada and to end use markets identified by the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) and the milling industry. The cultivars developed will have end-use quality identified as important by the industry and will carry genetic resistance to major diseases, pests, and adverse environmental conditions prevalent in the planned production areas.
  The development of cultivars that are genetically resistant to pests and adaptable to various climatic conditionswill help producers be more resilient by reducing the cost of growing oats, the fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, and the amount of pesticides used in oat production.
  Risks to oat producers and the oat processing industry will be reduced by oat cultivars that perform better agronomically, are resistant to pests and produce reliably healthy products for human and animal consumption, in Canada and around the world.
  Project partners includeAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Austgrains, FP Genetics, General Mills, Grain Millers Canada, Emerson Milling, SeCan, Richardson International, and POGA.

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Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: In Progress
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Aaron Beattie, Crop Development Centre (CDC) - Saskatoon, SK
• Project Dates: April 2019 –March 2024
• Abstract/Summary: Oat is considered a healthy cereal due to a number of nutritional compounds found within the grain, including beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is a soluble fiber that has been shown to lower plasma cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Oat grain also contains a number of antioxidant compounds, including the polyphenolic avenanthramides, which have anti- inflammatory effects. Oat contains 12-20% protein which is rich in globulins and contains more lysine and threonine than other cereals and provides a better balance of essential amino acids.
  
  Oats is able to be consumed by most people suffering from celiac disease and is thus considered to be gluten-free. As a result of these desirable attributes, oats remain a significant Canadian crop.
  
  To build on Saskatchewan’s (and Canada’s) position as a supplier of premium quality oats to current and developing markets, requires developing varieties with improved agronomic, quality and disease resistance.
  
  The CDC is exploring new traits for incorporation into future Canadian oat varieties that may add value to the crop.

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Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Kirby Nilsen, AAFC Brandon Research Centre
• Project Dates: April 2018 –March 2023
• Abstract/Summary: Developing milling quality oat cultivars suitable for organic production in western Canada, and potentially across Canada. Dr. Nilsen will evaluate and identify germplasm with high levels of genetically conferred disease resistance, and develop oat cultivars with durable resistance, especially to oat rusts, with acceptable milling qualitysuitable for organically managed production systems in western Canada, and for the ever-increasing organic markets.

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Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: In Progress
• Principal Investigators: Jim Dyck, Oat Advantage
• Project Dates: August 2021 – July 2026
• Abstract/Summary: This private breeding facility has supplied five new oat varieties for the Prairie provinces which contribute to over 200,000 oat acres. This research project is targeting a 10% higher bushel weight, low hull content, high protein, harvest durability, and ultimately high yielding and valued oat varieties. Heavy oats are a focus for Oat Advantage, as the improvement on weight is expected to yield benefits in transportation and storage.

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Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Weikai Yan and Nick Tinker, AAFC Ottawa
• Project Dates: April 2018 – March 2023
• Abstract/Summary: There are six objectives in this project and POGA is helping fund objectives two to six:
  
  2) identifying optimal agronomic practices to achieve high and stable grain yield and quality, (yes just had condensed the list to save room)
  
  3) enhancing the current oat breeding procedures in both the Ottawa and Brandon programs with genomic selection,
  
  4) improving the ability to deploy appropriate rust resistance genes through a survey of Pc gene profiles in existing cultivars, and Pc gene effectiveness in western and eastern Canada,
  
  5) enhancing genetic diversity in North American oat breeding programs through a joint testing and genotyping network that promotes germplasm exchange and provides information about adaptation,
  
  6) developing a multi-faceted approach to data and knowledge management that enhances all objectives of this project and benefits world-wide pre-competitive oat research.

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