As climate change brings more frequent heat waves and drought, Canadian researchers are testing gene technology that could help crops better withstand environmental stress.
One of those projects is underway at Kingston-based Performance Plants, where scientists are developing new canola varieties designed to better tolerate heat and drought while increasing the amount of carbon stored in the soil.
The research is one of nine projects selected for HARVEST, a new agri-tech business accelerator funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and managed by Ontario Genomics.
The program provides participating companies with up to $750,000, along with business mentorship and support to help bring new agricultural technologies closer to commercialization.
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“These technologies are designed to help improve the economics of Canadian agriculture while lessening environmental impact,” said Mike Dorrington, director and head of food and industrial biotechnology at Ontario Genomics.
The work comes as farmers face growing challenges from climate change, while governments and industries look for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“There’s a confluence of it being the right time. We are seeing these issues like climate change, the need to reduce greenhouse gas burden, new regulations for exports of goods from Canada,” Dorrington said.
At Performance Plants, researchers are focusing on “precision breeding,” identifying naturally occurring genes that help plants respond to environmental stress and enhancing those traits.
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While the company is now applying the technology to canola, the approach could have broader applications, said Jiangxin Wan, president and chief technology officer at Performance Plants.
“We are ready to apply all these strategies into crops. Canola is the most important crop in Canada. This is a good opportunity for us to jump on this,” Wan said.
The company is working with a seed producer to incorporate the technology into existing seed varieties rather than developing entirely new ones.
“The beauty of this canola project is we have a partner, a seed company,” she said. “We just add our technology into their seeds and add this tech as they grow.”
Researchers say more testing is still needed before the technology sees widespread use, but they hope it could eventually give farmers more tools to cope with increasingly unpredictable growing conditions.
@Incontinentia Buckets. There is some research suggesting herbicide (corrected from my comment below, not pesticides) tolerant crops may have increased gluten intolerance over time. The researchers suggested this was because herbicide use increased over time with GMO crops, causing changes to the gut flora, and an increase in gluten tolerance. But I honestly don’t know as I’m not an expert and the science seems unsettled. Just my opinion.
So what are other possible causes for the rise of gluten intolerance if not GMO?
Ben?
The only “ignorant” ones are those who don’t ask questions and don’t observe. A person isn’t “ignorant” for wanting to know what they are ingesting, and for not blindly trusting others whose motivation may not be in their best interest.
That sounds more like wisdom to me
@Terrance Dhog I read that herbicide use initially dropped when GMO’s were introduced, but then, as weeds developed resistance, more and more herbicide use was required.
Check out the historical weather data for toronto.In the summer. The majority of high temperatures happened in the 30s and 40s. Keep drinking the Kool aid. Global keeps deleting this post. I wonder why?
@Ben
GMO crops result in LESS herbicide use, not more.
For example. GMO liberty canola gets sprayed with hebicide ONCE a season or maybe 2 tops if there is intense weed presssure.
conventional lentil crops? try 6 to 8 times including fungicide.
SAME WEATHER ITS BEEN FOR THE LAST 67 YEARS ! F / OFF WITH YOUR B/ S FEAR MONGERING ONCE AGAIN ! MOVE THE F/ K ON AND DEAL WITH THE CHANGES. LIFE IS FULL OF CHANGES
@Betrayed there is some research suggesting that pesticide tolerant crops have contributed to the rise in gluten sensitivity over time. I’m not sure about other GMO’s tho.
Canada….pushing sub standard oil products since 1960.
Just follow the cases of gluten sensitivity/intolerance..the MASSIVE growth of autoimmune illnesses and of course the track record of deceit by the Canadian government in facilitating this reality.
Rapeseed is BIOFUEL
NOT FOOD
@Bill IMHO GMO’S are fine with one exception. I’m concerned about the herbicide tolerant crops that have been invented. More herbicide use is not a good thing.
Oh this should get the uninformed, ignorant, and gullible shrieking about GMOs and other things they dont understand.