Genomic strategies to improve field survival of winter cereals and stabilize yield

小麦是加拿大的主要作物，平均年产量为2500万至3000万吨，出口收入约为50亿美元。草原三省占加拿大耕地的84%，是小麦的主要产地。春小麦（约93%）是加拿大的优势品种。但在低冬杀年份，冬小麦产量比春小麦高20- 40%。非常严酷的草原冬季，气温降至零下40摄氏度以下，生长季节短，这限制了春季种子作物的生长成熟。为了保持加拿大生产者的可持续发展、竞争力和满足不断增长的全球人口的需求，迫切需要提高冬季作物的总体耐低温性和冬季田间存活率。

Wheat is a major Canadian crop with average annual production of 25-30 million metric tons and accounts for about $5 billion in export revenue. The three Prairie Provinces account for 84% of the Canadian arable land and are primary producers of wheat. Spring wheat (~ 93%) is the dominant type grown in Canada. However, in years with low winter kill winter wheat produces 20-40 % higher yields than spring types. The very harsh prairie winters with temperatures dipping to below -40oC and a short growing season which limits the spring seeded crops that can be grown to maturity. Improving low temperature tolerance in general and winter field survival in winter crops is urgently needed to keep the Canadian producers sustainable, competitive and meet the requirements of growing global population.