Analysis of genetic targeted mutations to improve drought tolerance in cereals

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Developing drought tolerance is a major obstacle in maintaining crop yields world-wide. Approaches to improve this complex trait include direct genetic modification and breeding or selection of genetic mutations conferring the desired characteristics. To overcome the limitations and challenges of genetic engineering, a reverse genetics (non-transgenic) strategy that combines traditional mutagenesis with cost effective discovery of single-nucleotide changes will be exploited to select plants with the required phenotypic attributes. In this proposal, we will use rice as a model cereal crop to analyse and investigate the potential of such mutations to improve water use efficiency and those alleles that successfully confer abiotic stress tolerance will be chosen for future validation in other crops of interest including wheat and corn. Development of agronomic traits is a key priority for the Canadian farming industry. This project will set the stage for assessing the genetic technology for commercial potential. Successful outcomes will allow the company to move forward with the development and marketing of new varieties of interest for Canadian agriculture.