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

小麦是加拿大的一种主要作物，平均年产量为2500万至3000万吨，约占出口收入的50亿美元。这三个草原省份占加拿大耕地面积的84%，是小麦的主要产地。春小麦(~93%)是加拿大的主要种植类型。然而，在冬小麦死亡率低的年份，冬小麦的产量比春季小麦高出20%-40%。严酷的草原冬天气温下降到零下40摄氏度以下，生长季节很短，这限制了春播的作物可以生长到成熟。迫切需要提高冬季作物的总体低温耐受性和冬季田间存活率，以保持加拿大生产者的可持续性、竞争力和满足全球人口增长的要求。

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.