Genetic and molecular characterization of early seed development to improve grain yield and quality

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The high anthropogenic activities during the last century has elevated the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, increased air temperatures and altered the precipitation patterns around the globe; these climate changes present serious challenges to crop productivity. To maintain food and nutritional security, it is imperative to increase crop yield and improve nutritional quality under abiotic stress conditions in a sustainable production system. Canada is a major agricultural producer and exporter. Globally, Canada is the fifth largest exporter of agriculture and agri-food products worth $56 billion annually to countries around the world. The three Prairie Provinces account for 84% of the Canadian arable land and are primary producers of wheat and pulses including lentil and chickpea. Spring wheat (~83%) is the dominant type grown in Canada. However, in years with low winter kill, fall seeded winter wheat produces 20 40% higher yield than spring wheat. Winter wheat is a very environmentally friendly crop as it efficiently uses spring moisture, out-competes the weeds and matures early. During the last decade of research, we have characterized wheat genotypes with increased cold tolerance and improved winter survival compared to the most hardy winter wheat cultivar Norstar. To make new winter wheat cultivars more attractive for wheat growers, the high winter hardiness trait needs to be combined with increased yield and improved grain quality. An important component of grain yield is seed size that is mainly affected by the environment, plant's source-sink relationship, and genetic factors determining the early stages of seed development. Recent studies show that the maternal tissues surrounding the growing seed set the limit to seed growth and size in wheat. The goal of our project is to study early seed development in fall seeded winter wheat and rye, and spring seeded chickpea genotypes varying in seed size to analyze the genetic factors and regulatory networks associated with early seed development. We will also develop genetic maps to identify the genomic regions associated with early seed development. The basic knowledge will be used to develop genetic markers for use by winter cereals and chickpea breeders in genomics assisted selection to combine optimal alleles for seed size and grain quality to increase yield and improve their grain quality. Chickpea is a leguminous crop that can fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing input costs, while improving soil fertility and contributing to sustainable agricultural production systems. Similarly fall seeded winter cereals also protect soil, efficiently use spring moisture contributing to reduced input costs and sustainable agricultural production system. Successful completion of the project will result in improved grain quality and yield, making winter cereals and chickpea cultivation profitable. Thus contributing to food and nutrition security in a sustainable agricultural production system.