Table of Contents

The coinciding increase in genomics resources for weedy plant species and herbicide resistance evolution has led to a rapid expansion of our understanding of the relationship between genomic structural variation and herbicide resistance mechanisms. Since the first discovery of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) copy number variation conferring glyphosate resistance in Amaranthus palmeri, we have seen rapid convergent evolution of the same herbicide-resistance mechanism in eleven diverse weed species by a variety of unique structural variant-generating mechanisms. These mechanisms include extrachromosomal circular DNA replication, unequal crossing over, and subtelomeric duplication. More recently, target-site duplication has been found to cause resistance for other herbicides with different modes of action, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors and glutamine synthetase inhibitors. Additionally, the first transposon-generated structural variants that confer herbicide resistances are beginning to be discovered. This review summarizes our current understanding of structural variation in agronomic weed genomes as it relates to herbicide resistance and emphasizes necessary future research to clarify the size, nature, and mechanisms that give rise to genomic structural variation. While we limit our review to herbicide resistance traits, this work also highlights the importance of structural variation as a critical component of total genetic diversity and its importance for the rapid evolution of novel traits.

Wheat leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina Erikss., is one of the most common and damaging diseases of wheat in Canada and throughout the world. To understand the P. triticina population virulence analysis of the population in Canada has been conducted annually for over 80 years. The virulence profile of the P. triticina population and virulence to key resistance genes changes significantly over time, and differs between regions. Recently, genetic analysis via DNA sequencing of representative isolate from the P. triticina populations from 2018 to 2022 initially revealed three diverse groups in Canada. All isolates within group one had the same two mating type alleles, group two isolates all had a second combination of alleles, whereas group three isolates were partitioned into eight subgroups encompassing different genetic clades. A fourth distinct group was later found from British Columbia. To combat leaf rust, the resistance genes Lr2a, Lr13, Lr14a, Lr16, Lr21, and Lr34 have been used extensively in Canadian spring wheat cultivars. Lr34, Lr46, and Lr67 are unique among resistance genes in that they are non-race-specific, conditioning partial resistance to all isolates, while also providing resistance to other wheat diseases. Critically, Lr34 and Lr67 were demonstrated to confer resistance to Fusarium head blight. The complete picture underlying Lr34 functions is not fully understood, but only Lr34res lines accumulate the fungistatic compound 1-O-p-coumaroyl-3-O-feruloylglycerol. Lr34 also produces leaf tip necrosis; this is enhanced at low temperatures. Combinations of race-specific leaf rust resistance genes, with Lr34, Lr46, and/or Lr67, have the best potential to protect wheat from a dynamic Canadian leaf rust population.

Plant cell walls are polysaccharide-based extracellular matrices that surround all plant cells. Cell walls provide support and protection to the plant cell, while also remaining flexible enough to allow plant growth by cell expansion. Plant cell walls are important renewable resources and cell wall polysaccharides can be processed into components of food, materials, or biofuels, making plant cell wall modification a key goal of biotechnology. However, plants sense the status of their cell walls via largely unknown mechanisms, collectively called “cell wall signaling”. Here, we review the evidence that activating cell wall signaling can limit plant growth, and that this growth limitation presents a key barrier to effective cell wall modification. We next discuss the molecular mechanisms of cell wall signaling; although several receptors have been implicated in detecting cell wall changes at the cell surface, their downstream signaling partners inside the cell are less clearly defined. Finally, we discuss how changes to cell wall synthesis can affect polysaccharide solubility and secretion, making some cell wall changes more detrimental than others. Altogether, uncovering the molecular mechanism of plant cell wall signaling and the extent to which plant cell walls can be modified without triggering growth limitations may allow cell wall modification to generate improved cell wall bioproducts.

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are known as a significant component of global agri-food systems, in regions such as Southern Asia, Eastern Africa, and South America, where they also serve as a valuable source of feed. Over the past few decades, global production has grown significantly, driven by rising demand, technological advancements, improved yields, and expanded cultivation areas. Canada, in particular, has become a significant player in the dry bean industry, leveraging its rich agricultural landscape and advanced agricultural technologies. Canadian research initiatives, financially supported by both governmental and private funding, have concentrated on developing new bean varieties with higher yields, resistance to pests and diseases, better adaptation to local growing conditions, and improved nutritional profiles. This study reviews trends in dry bean production, consumption, and international trade over the past decades, emphasizing the implications for research on both global and Canadian scales. Collaborative efforts between Canadian institutions and international research organizations have facilitated the exchange of genetic resources and agronomic techniques, thereby enhancing productivity and sustainability. By investing in these innovative endeavors, Canada not only bolsters its strengthened agricultural sector but also contributes significantly to global food security and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) production in Manitoba has increased substantially over the last 20 years, raising questions about phosphorus (P) fertilization in this region. Between 2013 and 2015, a study was conducted across 28 sites in Manitoba to evaluate the effect of P fertilizer rate and placement on soybean plant stand and seed yield. Treatments were 22.5, 45, and 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ applied as monoammonium phosphate, seed-placed, side-banded or broadcast, plus an unfertilized control treatment. Plant stand reduction due to seed-placed fertilizer toxicity was observed at five of 28 site-years, typically at the rate of 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹. Stand reduction was most frequent on medium- to coarse-textured soils, dry soils or when seeding equipment had low seedbed utilization. Seed yield was reduced at two site-years due to seed placing 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, which reduced plant stands below the recommended threshold of 247 000 plants ha⁻¹. Phosphorus fertilization did not increase seed yield, regardless of P rate, P placement, or Olsen soil test P level, except for one site-year where 45 and 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ increased seed yield by 343 and 430 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The extremely infrequent response to P fertilizer in combination with the high rate of P removal indicates that soybeans can use soil P reservoirs that are less available to other crops. Nevertheless, soybean growers in Manitoba should consider strategies for applying supplemental P to soybean or other crops in their rotation to maintain P fertility in soil.

Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta rabiei, is a serious constraint to chickpea production, managed primarily via foliar fungicides and genetic resistance. Imidazolinone (IMI) herbicides, used for in-crop weed management, can injure susceptible chickpea cultivars and so increase ascochyta risk. The impact of IMI application on susceptible and tolerant cultivars was assessed in combination with blight management options (starting fungicide application prior to symptom development, two versus four fungicide applications, genetic resistance) in small plot trials in Saskatchewan in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Two kabuli-type chickpea cultivars (CDC Orion, CDC Orkney) and two desi-types (CDC Vanguard, CDC Cory) were grown with or without IMI herbicide. CDC Orion and CDC Vanguard were susceptible to IMI herbicides, CDC Orkney and CDC Cory were tolerant. The severity of ascochyta blight (0–9 scale) was very low in 2019 and 2021 (1.3 in 2019, 0.5 in 2021) and generally did not differ among treatments. In 2022, the desi cultivars had less disease at the end of the season than kabuli cultivars (mean 3.1 vs. 4.3). In 2022, two applications of fungicide (starting before or after symptoms appeared) reduced severity relative to the control (3.5 vs. 4.6). Four applications did not provide additional reduction. IMI herbicides resulted in <15% injury on IMI-susceptible and none on IMI-tolerant cultivars. Waiting for ascochyta symptoms, rated 1, to apply fungicide was just as effective as applying fungicide before symptom development. Fungicides provide yield and disease management benefits when disease is moderate, but not when weather is hot and dry.

Lentils are a good dietary source of essential minerals for the proper functioning of the human body. We evaluated 34 cultivars and elite lentil lines representing the breadth of the Canadian breeding program. Trials were established in 10 site-years across Saskatchewan. Concentrations of 27 minerals were quantified with an inductive coupled argon plasma emission spectrometer in whole and dehulled lentil seeds. Lithium (Li), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), arsenic (As), silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), lanthanum (La), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) had concentrations below the quantification limit and were excluded from further analysis. The effects of site year, tissue type (whole and dehulled), and lentil genotypes were analyzed using a mixed model. Mineral concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), boron (B), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), aluminum (Al), and barium (Ba) was different among genotypes and across environments. Most minerals except Cu had significantly different concentrations between whole and dehulled seeds. Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, B, Al, and Ba were more concentrated in whole seeds, while K, S, and Ni were higher in dehulled seeds. Among the 34 genotypes, CDC Impala had the highest Fe, Zn, K, P, S, and Cu concentrations. Lentil genotypes with a higher composition of several minerals could be a starting point for enhancing mineral composition in lentils.

The performance of cropping systems is a function of crop and management practice interaction in a given growing environment. However, the critical factors affecting productivity remains unclear under varying climate conditions. We conducted a 5 year study at six sites in western Canada to identify the critical factors affecting the productivity, standardized as protein-based yield (PBY), and quantify the relationships between yield and critical factors. We tested six crop rotations, including conventional system (Control), pulse- or oilseed-intensified system (Intensified), diversified system (Diversified), market-driven system (Market-driven), high-risk and potentially high reward system (High-risk), and soil-health enhanced system (Soil-health). The importance index and structural equation modeling were used to identify key factors and explore the underlying relationships among them. Results showed that Market-driven and Diversified rotations outperformed the Control by 2%–6% in PBY, while Soil-health and High-risk yielded 23%–26% lower than the Control. Relative to the Control, all rotations showed an increase trend in PBY over time, with Diversified rotations increasing 13%–28% faster than Market-driven and Intensified rotations. Precipitation and nitrogen (N) management are the primary factors affecting cropping system productivity, explaining 25% and 21% yield variations, respectively. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that precipitation had a significant indirect effect on yield through affecting biological N fixation of pulse crops, in addition to a significant direct effect. Increasing pulse frequency and rotation complexity mitigated PBY loss by 10%–24% during low rainfall seasons. We recommend integrating pulse crops into cropping systems to enhance N management and mitigate yield loss in low precipitation regions.

For temperate climate, there is little information on the effects cover crops grown in fall (CCs) on the nitrogen (N) supply for next year's sugar beet (SB). Four field trials were conducted on silty soils to establish the CC N effect (N_eff) compared to bare fallow separately for the periods sowing-summer and summer-autumn harvest. Biomass characteristics of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), spring vetch (Vicia sativa L.), saia oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.), and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) CCs before winter, soil mineral nitrogen in spring (SMN), and SB N accumulation and sugar yield (SY) were measured. In the period sowing-summer, characterized by a high SB N demand, N_eff of overwintering, high biomass yielding rye CC was negative up to –50 kg N ha⁻¹ at three site/years and varied around zero for the other CCs except vetch, for which N_eff was positive. At SB autumn-harvest, N_eff was negative up to –100 kg N ha⁻¹ except for vetch in one trial. SY was lowest after rye CC. Regression analyses indicated a negative impact of CC biomass, C:N ratio and the difference in SMN between fallow (high SMN) and CCs (low SMN) on N_eff. To conclude, if CCs yield a high amount of biomass surviving until spring and thus remove SMN from the soil which otherwise remains available for SB, early season mineralization of CC biomass N can be too low to ensure a N supply sufficient for maximum SB yield. Choosing leguminous CCs or early termination of CCs might alleviate this constraint.

Western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, was first detected in British Columbia (BC) in 2016, resulting in the need for a trapping method that can detect beetles at low population levels and that can potentially mass trap beetles in sweet corn processing and distribution outlets. Based on early field experiments run in BC in 2019 and 2020, four trap types, baited with sex pheromone or floral lures, were evaluated in BC, Ontario, and Quebec for two 2-week periods during the swarming period in 2021. Trap captures were scored 0–10 based on relative captures, with the method with greatest captures scored as 10. Captures of male beetles were greatest on pheromone-baited PAL (“cloak”) (mean score of all 2021 experiments = 9.6) and PALs traps (8.6), and significantly lower with pheromone-baited Delta (3.4) and KLP (“hat”) (1.5), or floral-baited PAL (2.1) and PALs traps (1.9). Captures of female beetles were greatest on floral-baited PALs (8.7), PAL (8.4), and Delta traps (5.0), and low on KLP (1.5) and all other trapping methods (<1). In follow-up experiments run in 2023, pheromone-baited PAL traps captured >180× more beetles than non-baited Pherocon AM traps. Together these results indicate that PAL, PALs, and Delta traps can be used for the early detection of male and female WCR when baited with pheromone and floral lures, respectively, in Canada, both to determine the onset of the beetle swarming season for timing of foliar insecticide applications, and to monitor the spread of WCR to new areas.

Participatory plant breeding (PPB) has the potential to be an alternative to a centralized breeding model for niche markets that are historically underserved. Our objectives were to evaluate the performance of two parental cultivars from a Canadian PPB program: a modern spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar (5602HR) and a landrace (Red Fife)—with the progeny of the cross when selected by two farmers located 1800 km apart (denoted Farm1 and Farm2) and evaluate progeny differences from each other under organic conditions. Red Fife was 18 cm taller, matured 5 days later, and had greater lodging susceptibility, greater seed mass, and 3.5% lower protein concentration than 5602HR. Farmer genotypes were similar to 5602HR in protein concentration and lodging severity, and similar to Red Fife in plant height (14 cm taller than 5602HR) and seed mass. Farmer genotypes did not yield differently from either parent. Farmer genotypes did not differ from each other in most parameters measured; however, Farm1 had greater lodging resistance under high fertility conditions than Farm2 despite similar plant height. This research provides a proof of concept for the role that farmer selectors can play in selecting for positive traits for organic production and provide insight into organic farmers’ preferences. The research also demonstrated that using an older landrace (i.e., Red Fife) allowed positive features such as tall stature to be incorporated into the resulting progeny.

Pea-based intercrops provide nitrogen (N) benefits and often improve land productivity through functional diversification. However, their impact on grain quality and soil health remains unclear. We conducted a 2-year (2021 and 2022) intercrop study at Swift Current and Melfort, Saskatchewan, assessing productivity, grain quality, and soil water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and water-extractable dissolved N (WEDN). Nine treatments included pea–oat (PO) intercrops with three N rates (0, 1/4, and 1/2 of full recommended N rate for oat monocrop), pea–canola (PC) intercrops with three N rates (0, 1/4, and 1/2 of full recommended N rate for canola monocrop), and three monocrops (pea, oat, and canola). Pea monocrop received no N fertilizer, while oat and canola monocrops received the full recommended N rate. In intercrops, pea was seeded at 2/3 and the companion crop at 1/2 of their recommended rates. PO intercrops consistently produced higher energy-based yields than PC intercrops. Intercrops outperformed monocrops at Melfort but not at Swift Current. Intercropping reduced canola protein content by 6–9% and oat protein content by 6–8%, compared to monocrops. PO intercrops increased WEOC level by 5%–9% compared to monocrops. PC intercrops resulted in 10% higher WEDN than PO intercrops, attributed to a higher pea plant stand in PC. Nitrogen fertilizer rates in intercrops did not affect yields or soil labile C and N. The results showed that applying N fertilizers to pea-based intercrops did not improve productivity, but seeding rate ratio in intercrops should be finetuned based on crop competitiveness to improve overall performance.

In this study, we investigated the differences in soil physical and chemical properties as well as kiwifruit yield, between rain-shelter cultivation (BY) and open-field cultivation (CK) in Southwest China from 2020 to 2021. The results indicated that the BY treatment significantly improved the nutrient supply capacity of the soil and increased fruit yield. Compared with CK, soil moisture, bulk density, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and organic matter content were lower under the BY treatment, whereas soil conductivity, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium were significantly higher. Principal component analysis revealed significant differences in the soil physical and chemical properties between the two cultivation methods at each sampling period. Correlation analysis between yield and soil physical and chemical properties showed that except for pH, all indicators were highly correlated with yield (R² > 0.87^**). The BY treatment significantly increased yield by enhancing soil contents such as soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while reducing water content and bulk density. However, owing to the increase in soil electrical conductivity, there is a potential risk of salinization. To mitigate this, it is essential to supplement the soil with total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and organic matter to maintain soil health.

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is a perennial, cool-season grass that is widespread across all provinces and territories and first mentioned as an invasive species in 1879. It is represented in Canada by six subspecies, three of which are native, two introduced, and one native and introduced. As a group, the subspecies are found across a wide range of habitat types, including prairie grasslands, woodlands, tundra, and disturbed sites. The introduced subspecies have been intensively used in forage and turf breeding and production. The most invasive subspecies, Poa pratensis ssp. angustifolia, is native to temperate Eurasia and was introduced to North America as a forage and cover crop. Invasions by Kentucky bluegrass result in fewer and less abundant native grass and forb species, reducing plant diversity in native prairie grasslands, and creating cascading negative effects on the ecosystem goods and services provided by these systems. Rhizomatous growth and its ability to reproduce asexually through aposporous apomixis likely enhance Kentucky bluegrass invasiveness. It is effectively controlled using glyphosate herbicide. Early-season prescribed burns are also emerging as a potential management strategy. Despite its detrimental impacts on grassland diversity, Kentucky bluegrass remains a valuable turf and forage grass in all Canadian provinces and territories.

Les rendements en fruits du bleuet nain sauvage (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) varient d'un champ à l'autre malgré une fertilisation minérale équivalente. Il serait plausible que le statut nutritif de la plante défini par les concentrations foliaires en éléments nutritifs des feuilles soit responsable de ces variations. L'objectif a été d’évaluer la réponse de la culture à la fertilisation azotée et phosphatée selon les concentrations en azote (N) et phosphore (P) des feuilles prélevées lors de l'année de végétation. Pour évaluer cette réponse, quatre doses de N (0 à 90 kg N ha⁻¹) et trois doses de P (0, 10 et 20 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹) ont été appliquées au printemps de l'année de végétation. Le dispositif expérimental, établi sur 34 sites au Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, était un factoriel en blocs complets aléatoires. Les rendements en fruits ont augmenté de 25 % avec la fertilisation en N comparativement aux parcelles non fertilisées alors que la fertilisation en P n'a eu aucun effet. Les concentrations en N et P des feuilles ont augmenté significativement avec la fertilisation et étaient significativement corrélées aux rendements. L'accroissement de la productivité par kg de N ajouté a été plus élevé lorsque les concentrations en N et P des feuilles étaient faibles. Ainsi, la concentration en N et P des feuilles a expliqué en partie les variations des rendements mesurées aux différents sites. La fertilisation azotée et phosphatée pourrait donc être ajustée en fonction des concentrations en N et P des feuilles et être diminuée lorsque les concentrations sont optimales.

A chickpea health issue was first noted in July 2019 in southwest Saskatchewan, Canada. Surveys of commercial chickpea fields were undertaken in 2021, 2022, and 2023 to investigate the potential roles of herbicides, fungicides, fertilizer, seed treatments, inoculants, nutrients, nematodes, drought stress, and chickpea cultivars on severity of plant damage. Fields to which herbicide containing the active ingredient metribuzin had been applied had more severe symptoms compared to fields to which it had not. Seed treatment with Apron Advance (active ingredients thiabendazole, fludioxinil, and metalaxyl) was associated with more severe symptoms than treatment with Vibrance Maxx (sedaxane, fludioxonil, and metalaxyl). No effects of rhizobial inoculation of chickpea seed was observed. Fields in which lentil or canola preceded chickpea had higher severity of aboveground plant damage compared to fields in which chickpea followed barley or durum. No significant correlation was found between severity of plant damage and concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and chloride in plant tissues. A significant negative correlation (P < 0.05) was found between potassium (K) concentration and severity, especially in 2023. There was a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) between severity of plant damage and the amount of P fertilizer applied. Plant ectoparasitic nematodes Paratylenchus and Helicotylenchus species were detected. Paratylenchus species abundance was very high in some fields. Although no clear diagnosis of the causal agent(s) of plant damage was made, crop rotation, metribuzin herbicide application, seed treatments, plant K concentrations, P fertilization, and co-occurrence of stressors may exacerbate the plant and foliar symptoms observed.

Ferula assa-foetida L., a perennial crop of the Apiaceae family, has internal physical seed dormancy that inhibits its germination ability. Hence, to improve germination capacity and overcome seed dormancy, the present study was conducted using six accessions for assessing seed viability using 1% Tetrazolium test three times every 6 months and grown under three different temperature treatments (5, 15, and 25 °C) during 2018–19 and 2019–20. These accessions were also grown under six different potting mixtures to optimize the best media for its survivability under field conditions. Results from the tetrazolium test indicated an average seed viability of 73.03% and showed an ∼5% reduction during 2018–20. From germination tests, a chilling treatment of 5 °C was found most effective for breaking dormancy. Besides, the seedlings grown under different potting mixtures showed that media mixtures in the combination of soil, sand, farmyard manure, and cocopeat were most appropriate for better germination stand. However, further studies are required to explain the agro-practices to cultivate this endangered plant at field capacity. It was also observed that genotypes EC966538 and EC968470 were best performers for overall germination as well as seedling survival parameters and could be used as base populations in future selection and improvement breeding programs.

Winter climate conditions, especially extremely low temperatures, constrain the production of fruit trees and other perennial crop species in Canada. Significant decreases in cold extremes under climate change may result in changes in plant hardiness zones and the distribution of crop species across the country. Climate warming might also bring changes to climate conditions that affect fall hardening, loss of cold hardiness due to winter thaws, and spring frost damages. Using the most up-to-date climate projections, we provide projected changes in the risks of damages to fruit trees during winter based on five agroclimatic indices and changes to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones based on long-term averages of annual extreme minimum air temperatures in the near-term (2030s, 2020–2049), mid-term (2050s, 2040–2069), and distant future (2070s, 2060–2089). Our results suggest that climate change might be beneficial for fruit trees across Canada with (1) improved fall hardening because of more time to acquire cold hardiness due to delayed first fall frost and (2) decreased winter coldness with increases in annual minimal temperatures and decreases in the accumulation of cold degree-days below –15 °C. The risks of loss of cold hardiness due to winter thaws will increase slightly while the risks of spring frost damages to buds will be largely unchanged. Under a warmer distant future, the USDA plant hardiness zones across Canada would increase by 1.5–2 “full” zones, which may lead to the introduction of new fruit tree species and opportunities for Canadian producers.

Four field trials were conducted in western Canada in 2020 and 2021 to assess cadmium (Cd) concentration in seed from 166 pure lines of flax originating from 26 countries that were derived by single seed descent from a genetically diverse flax core collection preserved by Plant Gene Resources of Canada. Associations of Cd concentration with morphological and phenological traits, as well as the country of origin were considered. The mean Cd concentration in the seed ranged from 0.31 to 1.50 mg/kg with an overall mean value of 0.93 ± 0.22 mg/kg. The Cd in the soil from the field sites ranged from 0.35 to 2.80 mg/kg and was positively correlated with the Cd concentration in the seed harvested from the respective sites. The consistency of the Cd concentration in the seed of pure lines across the four site-years was low, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.35 to 0.53. Pure lines with consistently low Cd concentration in the seed were identified and may be useful for breeding linseed cultivars for human consumption while pure lines with consistently high Cd concentration might be used for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils. Cd concentration in the seed was not significantly correlated with thousand seed weight, plant height, petal colour, seed colour, or country of origin. As a tendency, the longer the vegetative period and the later the accessions matured, the more Cd they accumulated in the seed. For linseed production in western Canada, choosing locations with a low Cd content in the soil is very important when growing flax for human consumption or feed use.

Crop yield simulation can facilitate understanding and support policy response to climate warming. DSSAT modelling is dependable when the crop varieties characterised can manifest realistic yield-responses to weather and hence climate, in a location of interest. We strived to minimise field trial and cultivar calibration resources. Our primary objective was to identify in-built DSSAT cultivars, which when used with representations of local soils can simulate the observed maize and soybean yields of 1987–2016, across 12 counties in Southwestern Ontario. These cultivars/soils were then utilised to disaggregate historic weather contribution to trending yields, but they can otherwise serve climate projection impact studies, as envisioned. Technology had contributed to progressive time-based increases in measured yields. Hence, a mixed nRMSE and r² factor (MSF ≤ 1) enabled quick and decisive cultivar/soil selections, conditioned on closer matching simulated yield levels and variations with measured. Pio-3563 (maize) and Pio-9202 (soybean) were among the cultivars selected. Northern and southern subregional composites of simulated county yields, from final selections, compared with measured at nRMSE ≤ 0.20 and r² ≥ 0.53, the best values being nRMSE ≈ 0.08 with r² ≈ 0.80 (soybean) in the south. Modelling indicated 60% and 52% climate warming contributions to increased maize and soybean yields, respectively, across Southwestern Ontario. These percentages mostly agreed with those of other investigators using statistical methods for weather impact evaluations, which were utilised for final validation of our selections. An additional finding was that northern weather contributed 35%, while southern weather contributed 70% to increased subregional soybean yields.

The cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW), Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an important pest of brassicaceous crops, including canola (Brassica napus Linnaeus). CSW consumes seeds of its host from inside the developing pods. It was introduced to North America from Europe and now occurs throughout the United States of America and Canada. Climate is one of the most important factors that determines species distribution and abundance. CLIMEX is a bioclimate model development application. Based on climate inputs, bioclimatic simulation models are tools that predict the potential geographic distribution and abundance of insects and plants. This study updated a previous bioclimatic model for CSW and presents a new model for canola. Validated models were used to conduct bioclimatic analysis of both species, the results of which provide a better understanding of how climate affects spatial distribution and abundance of CSW and the distribution and yield of canola. Application of incremental temperature and moisture scenarios were used to predict the spatial relationship of CSW risk and canola yield. We anticipate that the canola model will be applied to future bioclimatic studies of pests and beneficial insects of canola. Both the CSW and canola model can be used in climate change studies using datasets for predicted future climates.

The agronomic and environmental benefits of diversified cropping systems have been well documented in the Canadian prairies. However, little is known about the profitability of diversified rotations with oilseeds, cereals, legumes, and specialty crops. This study consisted of two 5-year (2018–2022) experiments carried out at four sites in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Net return (NR) was defined as total revenue minus total costs. Results showed diversified sequences with Oriental mustard, red lentil, yellow field pea, and yellow mustard had higher NR than continuous wheat and wheat with chemical fallow sequences. Moreover, sequences diversified with quinoa, yellow mustard, field pea, and wheat showed high NR across all sites. Wheat after chemical fallow in the wheat with chemical fallow sequence (wheat–wheat–chemical fallow–wheat–wheat) had high NR; however, this did not compensate for the loss of NR in the chemical fallow phase, resulting in the lowest NR. The inclusion of industrial, oriental, and yellow mustard in sequences with wheat and field pea decreased nitrogen cost by 30% compared to a continuous wheat sequence, concluding that such sequences not only improved NRs but also showed a significant reduction in nitrogen requirement costs.

Symbiotic Methylobacterium comprise a significant part of the plant microbiome and are known to benefit host plant growth, development, tolerance to abiotic stress, and enhanced disease resistance. The wide application of commercial broad-spectrum fungicide formulations in contemporary agriculture practices has necessitated the investigation of compatibility between popular pesticide products and bacterial endophytes, especially as the Methylobacterium are increasingly considered for agronomic use, including biocontrol of phytopathogens. This study provides an evaluation of compatibility between a extensive inventory of 40 Methylobacterium strains in response to commercial pesticide formulations, each containing different agtive ingredients: DYNASTY® and QUADRIS® (azoxystrobin), MAXIM®480 (fludioxonil), and APRON XL® LS (metalaxyl-M). Using a diffusion disk assay, no sensitivity of tested Methylobacterium strains could be detected against any fungicide product, at doses within and above the recommended therapeutic window (1–100 µg). Potency of formulations across the same range were confirmed using the sensitive phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum. As Methylobacterium spp. continue to emerge as suitable candidates for various roles in biotechnology, including agriculture, a better understanding on the compatibility between this important genus and commercial fungicide products has become a relevant consideration for integrated pest management practices.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a versatile annual legume valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and agricultural uses. Like other legumes, fenugreek can conduct biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Because fenugreek lacks a dedicated commercial rhizobial inoculant, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of six commercial rhizobial inoculants registered for alfalfa and sweet clover, alongside 15 Sinorhizobium meliloti strains, on two fenugreek varieties, CDC Canafen and Fenucold. Using laboratory inoculation tests and greenhouse experiments, the symbiotic potential of these products and strains was assessed through nodule formation, BNF, dry matter yield, and the amount of nitrogen fixed. There was variability in symbiotic performance across the strain–variety combinations, with the commercial inoculant RIZOLIQ TOP-Alfalfa and the pure strains USDA1811 and USDA1150 demonstrating superior nodulation, % nitrogen derived from the atmosphere, and dry matter production. CDC Canafen generally exhibited greater nitrogen fixation compared to Fenucold, and the varieties could fix up to 58% and 47% of their required nitrogen, respectively. The study identifies a registered commercial inoculant that can be used on common fenugreek varieties grown in Canada and shows the potential of other S. meliloti strains for future improvements to inoculant offerings.

Information about soil organic matter fraction and enzyme activity responses to agricultural management may help guide decisions that sustain crop productivity and soil health. We measured carbon and nitrogen in bulk soil, mineral-associated organic matter, particulate organic matter, water-extractable organic matter, and the potential activity of β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminadase, acid phosphomonoesterase and arylsulfatase in three cropping systems after: (1) 21 years of conventional- or no-tillage silage corn monoculture (0–20 cm); and (2) 6 years of nitrogen fertilization with or without nitrification inhibitors, and (3) 9 years of 100% or 200% the recommended broadcast or fertigation nitrogen rate in two distinct mature highbush blueberry systems (0–15 cm). Soil organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, particulate organic nitrogen, water-extractable nitrogen, and arylsulfatase activity were 17%, 38%, 50%, 25%, and 68% greater, respectively, with no-tillage than conventional tillage. Particulate organic carbon accumulated with two decades of no-tillage, which increased soil organic carbon without altering mineral-associated organic carbon. Nitrification inhibitors did not impact any soil organic matter fraction or enzyme activity after 6 years in a mature highbush blueberry system. Broadcasted nitrogen led to higher soil organic carbon than fertigation, but excessive application (200% vs 100% rate) depleted soil organic carbon, accumulated reactive nitrogen and reduced potential activity of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminadase, acid phosphomonoesterase and arylsulfatase after 9 years in a mature highbush blueberry system. Excessive nitrogen may deplete organic carbon and cause reactive nitrogen accumulation in soil of mature highbush blueberry systems. Intensive agricultural management has tradeoffs for carbon and nitrogen cycling that should be balanced with sustainable crop production.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a staple crop for food security. Unfortunately, potatoes have low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). To compensate for low phosphorus (P) uptake and maintain yields, high rates of P fertilizer are often repeatedly applied. Little research has been done to identify cultivars that yield well and take up P efficiently on the Canadian Prairies, especially on soils with high P levels. We conducted a 3-year study on high soil test P sites (66–110 kg ha⁻¹ extractable P) in Saskatchewan to evaluate six potato cultivars (Clearwater Russet, Dark Red Norland, Milva, Poppy, Russet Burbank, and Sangre) for PUE under P fertilizer rates ranging from 0–30 kg P ha⁻¹. Total yield, tuber P concentration, tuber P content, P balance intensity (PBI), and tuber phosphorus uptake efficiency (PUpE) were quantified; and cultivar significantly influenced all metrics, whereas fertilizer and the two-way interaction did not. Depending on the year, total tuber yield averaged 14.8–38.6 Mg ha⁻¹ and tuber P content averaged 10.7–19.1 kg P ha⁻¹. Based on the PUE indicators of PBI and PUpE, Dark Red Norland, Sangre, and Milva cultivars consistently ranked in the top half of cultivars. Our experiment suggests that when yield is not limited by soil P, PUE is largely driven by the ability of the plant to produce greater yield. Reducing fertilizer applications to better account for soil P levels is not the only strategy to improve PUE, because cultivar selection is also influential. Selecting high producing cultivars can provide both agronomic and environmental benefits, in the form of yield and PUE.

Identification of marker trait associations (MTAs) for agronomic traits of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) can often be limited by confounding genotype by environment interactions. In this study, phenotypic data was derived from the calculation of genotypic principal component scores (gPCs) by GGEbiplot from a multiple year and location agronomic dataset to assess the validity and feasibility of using gPC scores in genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) in comparison with traditional phenotypes. Important quantitative trait loci (QTL) were discovered for maturity, seed oil content, yield, and plant height that were not detected using the traditional phenotypes. MTAs were detected by GWAS analysis with PC1, PC2, and PC4 phenotypes. QTL for maturity associated with the E1 and E3 soybean maturity loci demonstrate the validity of this approach by detecting these well studied regions. Epistatic analysis revealed QTL controlling both oil and protein content but did not uncover significant interactions associated with other traits. This result further contributes to the understanding of complex gene networks controlling pleiotropic traits such as seed oil and seed protein content. QTL for the studied traits are reported across six Glycine max chromosomes with 15 genes and one gene cluster proposed as candidates controlling agronomic traits.

Previous studies showed pure blue (B) spectra from light emitting diodes (LEDs) can promote shade avoidance responses (SARs). However, it is unknown whether SARs vary among different peak wavelengths (λpeak) of B or how they compare with other photomorphologically-important wavebands. To answer these questions, mustard and arugula seedlings were grown to the cotyledon-unfolding stage under the following narrowband spectrum treatments: ultraviolet A (UVA) (λpeak = 385 nm), B1 (λpeak = 405 nm), B2 (λpeak = 440 nm), B3 (λpeak = 455 nm), and far-red (FR) (λpeak = 730 nm). Both red (R, λpeak = 660 nm) and dark (D) were used as control treatments. The spectrum treatments were provided at 50 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ on a continuous basis. There were no differences among the three B treatments except for reduced mustard fresh weight in B3. Compared with R, the B treatments promoted hypocotyl elongation, reduced cotyledon size, and increased petiole length in arugula and B1 increased petiole length in mustard. Compared with the B treatments, UVA inhibited hypocotyl and petiole elongation, with responses that were similar to or greater than R in both species. Compared with the B treatments, seedlings grown under FR generally had the lowest hypocotyl and petiole elongation and the smallest cotyledons. Among the LED treatments, the three B treatments had the greatest promotional effects on plant elongation. Therefore, low-intensity B with different λpeak can similarly promote hypocotyl elongation as SARs during de-etiolation stage, and have greater promotion effects on elongation than UVA and FR.

Apple replant disease (ARD) can increase apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh) mortality, delay production, and reduce yield, resulting in losses of up to $60 K/ha over an orchard’s lifespan. Common fumigation treatments can harm human and environmental health, have variable effectiveness, and disrupt beneficial soil microbial activity and processes. An experiment was conducted at the Simcoe Research Station in Norfolk County, Ontario to assess the effectiveness of commercially available plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbial biocontrols to treat ARD. Five treatments were replicated in-field five times as a randomized block design. Treatments included: untreated control, fumigation control (chloropicrin (FC)), PGP fungi (PGP-F), PGP rhizobacteria (PGP-R), and a combination of PGP-F and PGP-R (PGP-M). Trees growth and health and rhizosphere microbial diversity was assessed at three points over 2 years. PGP-R produced the greatest mean root mass followed by the chemical fumigation, which was 32% and 10% more root mass than the untreated control, respectively. Chemical fumigation resulted in the greatest above-ground biomass tree growth followed by the PGP-R, accumulating 30% and 6% more biomass than the untreated control. However, PGP-F accumulated less biomass than the untreated control. FC and PGP-R both resulted in strong growth but impacted the microbial community differently. PGP-R increased rhizosphere bacterial diversity and decreased fungal diversity while FC did the opposite. PGP-R changes to bacterial communities persisted while FC soils resembled the untreated control most closely after two years. These results indicate PGP-R biocontrol treatments are viable alternatives to fumigation for apple growers facing ARD.

The wheat stem sawfly (WSS; Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae)) is a serious pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Great Plains of North America. Two species of parasitoids, Bracon cephi Gahan and Bracon lissogaster Muesebeck, effectively attack C. cinctus; therefore, agronomic practices must strive to conserve these endemic parasitoids. Our objectives were (1) to establish distribution and within host infestation patterns of Bracon parasitoids, and (2) to study parasitoid responses to genetics, stubble height and straw management at harvest. Field surveys and harvest management studies were conducted in the southern Prairies of Canada and in Montana, USA. Harvest management consisted of three harvesting heights, (1) low, harvest near ground level to cut and thresh all material above the soil surface, (2) harvest stubble height = 15 cm, and (3) spikes only and two levels of straw management, (1) Chopped straw, or, (2) Not chopped. Most overwintering parasitoid cocoons (>80%) occurred in the bottom third (0–15 cm) of standing wheat stems, and the common harvest practice of chopping straw reduced adult parasitoid emergence. However, the incremental benefit of not chopping straw does not justify elimination of the practice as residue management is critically important in conservation farming. Compared to a low cutting height, increasing harvesting heights to 15 cm, or higher to remove only the grain spikes, increased total emergence of Bracon cephi by 40% and 60%, respectively. Thus, the optimal conservation of wheat stem sawfly parasitoids can be achieved with easily-adopted practices on-farm without compromising sustainable production principles.

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a common cover crop typically grown for its rapid establishment and superior weed suppression. One challenge of incorporating buckwheat into crop rotations, however, is its short generation time, which requires in-season management to prevent viable seed production and volunteers in subsequent crops. Mixing buckwheat at reduced seeding rates with other cover crop species is one way for producers to reduce volunteer potential; however, this may compromise weed suppression. To investigate mechanisms behind buckwheat weed suppression and how using buckwheat in mixtures can affect suppression, we collected a series of morphological measurements in buckwheat monocultures and in three, two-way and four, three-way cover crop species mixtures and modeled their response over the growing season. We found that while buckwheat height and relative growth rate were unaffected with increasing species richness, there was a significant reduction in maximum leaf area index (3.75 vs. 2.85 vs. 2.82 cm² cm⁻²) in mixture. Buckwheat monocultures provided superior season-long weed suppression compared to mixtures (85% vs. 53% vs. 50%). Principal component analysis showed that increased height and leaf area index values were associated with greater weed suppression. The link between reduced leaf area index and weed suppression in mixtures compared to buckwheat monocultures suggests that the rapid leaf development and canopy cover associated with buckwheat is a key mechanism behind weed suppression. In practice, producers should expect a dilution effect and weed suppression to be compromised when the buckwheat seeding rate is reduced in mixtures.

Novel manures (rabbit and black soldier fly) were compared with traditional amendments on soybean (Glycine max L.) grown in low P soil in greenhouse experiments. Ground rabbit manure (GRM) had higher aboveground biomass and tissue P concentration than composted beef manure, anaerobic digestate, and monoammonium phosphate but similar to insect frass. Compared to the control, GRM and insect frass had higher arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization, 17% and 29% increase, respectively, in one experiment. GRM and insect frass demonstrated advantages in P supply associated with higher AMF.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) face several design and methodological challenges leading to difficulties in the identification of genuine marker–trait associations (MTAs) for complex traits in crops. A post-GWAS genomic assessment of previously reported MTAs on chromosome (Chr) 2 and Chr 9 for Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) resistance in soybean was conducted using an independent cross-validation panel of soybean with presumed responses to SSR. Results showed a significantly higher than expected frequency of resistance (R) alleles and a lower-than-expected frequency of susceptible (S) alleles in partially resistant cultivars.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat, caused by Fusarium graminearum (Fg), reduces yield and results in mycotoxin accumulation in the grain. Detached spikes from winter wheat varieties were inoculated with two Fg isolates and disease severity was estimated. Mycotoxin content of detached spikes was determined. Significant variety, isolate, and interaction effects were observed (p < 0.001). FHB severity scores of varieties evaluated in an inoculated Fusarium nursery were correlated with those for detached spikes inoculated with a 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol-producing Fg isolate. Results highlight the complex interactions between Fg isolates and wheat cultivars, indicating the need for further research to better understand these relationships.

Allelopathic effects may be a contributing factor in the mixed success of legume re-establishment in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)-dominated pastures. Under controlled conditions, we evaluated whether aqueous shoot or root extracts from Kentucky bluegrass would affect seed germination for three alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars after a 7-day incubation period. Both shoot and root extracts had an inhibitory effect on alfalfa seed germination for all cultivars. AAC Trueman was the least affected and AC Caribou the most affected by aqueous Kentucky bluegrass root extracts, suggesting that the capacity for rejuvenating old pastures may vary among alfalfa cultivars.

AAC Planet is a semi-leafless and powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe pisi Syd.) resistant field pea (Pisum sativum L.) variety developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. It has high yielding potential, late maturity, tall plant height with good lodging resistance, medium seed size, round seed shape, and low seed coat breakage. It has maturity of 100 days, and thousand-seed weight of 221 g with seed protein content of 24.6%. AAC Planet has a lodging score of 3.2 on the scale of 1–9. It is moderately susceptible to mycosphaerella blight (caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes) and fusarium root rot (caused by Fusarium avenaceum and F. solani).

AAC McMurphy is a semi-leafless, yellow cotyledonary field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. It has a maturity of 90 days, one-thousand-seed weight of 246 g, and a lodging score of 2.9 on the scale of 1–9. The seed crude protein content of AAC McMurphy is 24.2%. AAC McMurphy is resistant to powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe pisi) and moderately susceptible to mycosphaerella blight (caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes) and fusarium root rot (caused by Fusarium avenaceum).

AAC Hassler (PT496) is an early maturing, high yielding, awned, and hollow stemmed Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar suited to growing conditions in the northern Canadian Prairies. AAC Hassler yielded 8% more than Glenn, 6% more than Parata, and 6% more than Carberry in the Parkland Wheat Registration Trials (2019–2021). AAC Hassler matured 4 days earlier than Carberry and had similar maturity as Parata. AAC Hassler had similar height to Glenn and the lodging score was similar to Parata. The test weight of AAC Hassler was 2% lower than the mean of the checks and the thousand kernel weight was similar to Glenn. AAC Hassler had protein content 0.1% higher than Carberry. AAC Hassler expressed an intermediate resistant reaction to Fusarium head blight (FHB; Fusarium graminearum Schwabe). AAC Hassler was moderately resistant to the prevalent races of stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn) and moderately susceptible to common bunt (Tilletia caries (DC) Tul. & C. Tul.). It was resistant to prevalent races of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.) and stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend). AAC Hassler was susceptible to orange wheat blossom midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). AAC Hassler was registered under the CWRS class.

AAC Darby (PT495) is an early maturing, high yielding, awned and hollow stemmed Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar suited to the growing conditions in the northern Canadian Prairies. AAC Darby was higher yielding than all the check varieties in the Parkland Wheat Cooperative (Park C) registration trials (2018–2020). AAC Darby was 6% higher yielding than Parata and 5% higher yielding than Carberry. AAC Darby matured 5 days earlier than Carberry and 1 day earlier than Parata. AAC Darby was similar in height to Glenn at 2 cm taller. The lodging score for AAC Darby was similar to the mean of the checks. The test weight of AAC Darby was similar to Carberry and the 1000-kernel weight was similar to Glenn and higher than Parata. AAC Darby had protein content only 0.07% lower than Carberry. AAC Darby expressed an intermediate resistant reaction to Fusarium head blight (FHB; Fusarium graminearum Schwabe). AAC Darby was moderately resistant to the prevalent races of stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn) and moderately susceptible to common bunt [Tilletia caries (DC) Tul. & C. Tul.]. It was resistant to prevalent races of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.) and stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend). AAC Darby was resistant to orange wheat blossom midge (OBWM) (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). AAC Darby was registered under the CWRS class.

AAC Stockton is a hulled two-row spring general purpose barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar widely adapted to western Canada. It was developed from the cross TR11219/CDC Kindersley made in 2012, and it was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test (2020–2021) before being registered in 2023. AAC Stockton will offer a good production choice for barley growers across the Prairies due to its grain yield potential, lodging resistance, and improved Fusarium head blight resistance.

AAC Beckett is a two-row hulless spring food barley (Hordeum vulgare var. nudum) cultivar with good adaptability across western Canada. It was developed from the cross Merlin/H303 made in 2014, and it was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Hulless Barley Registration Test (2020–2021) before being registered in 2023. Merlin (HB801) is a two-row, waxy hulless barley cultivar, while the other parent, H303 is a F₁ hulless food line. The cross was made with the aim to develop improved high beta-glucan hulless barley for food. AAC Beckett's combination of high yield, disease resistance, and high beta-glucan concentration should make it a useful cultivar for the barley growers and food industry.

AAC Springfield is a high protein soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar developed by the Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. It is intended for production in 2400 to 2600 crop heat unit areas of Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. AAC Springfield has a unique combination of high protein, high 11S:7S ratio, and early maturity.

CDC Huskie, a green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2022 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, for distribution to Select seed growers through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Huskie has good lodging resistance, medium-sized round seeds, a mean seed protein concentration of 23.3%, and good yielding ability. It is resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to Mycosphaerella blight and Fusarium root rot. CDC Huskie is adapted to the field pea growing regions of western Canada.

CDC Rider, a green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2021 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, for distribution to Select seed growers through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Rider has good lodging resistance, medium time to maturity, medium-sized round seeds, a mean seed protein concentration of 23.7%, and good yielding ability. It is resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to Mycosphaerella blight and Fusarium root rot. CDC Rider is adapted to the field pea growing regions of western Canada.

CDC Boundless, a yellow cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2023 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, for market representation by SeCan Association. CDC Boundless has good lodging resistance, medium-sized round seeds, a mean seed protein concentration of 23.8%, and good yielding ability. CDC Boundless is resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to Mycosphaerella blight and Fusarium root rot. CDC Boundless is adapted to the field pea-growing regions of western Canada.

CDC Citrine, a yellow cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2022 by the Crop Development Centre (CDC), University of Saskatchewan, for distribution to Select seed growers through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Citrine has good lodging resistance, medium-sized round seeds, a mean seed protein concentration of 24.2%, and good yielding ability. It is resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to Mycosphaerella blight and Fusarium root rot. CDC Citrine is adapted to the field pea growing regions of western Canada.

CDC Engage, a yellow cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2023 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan for distribution by Alliance Seed. CDC Engage has good lodging resistance, medium time to maturity, medium-sized round seeds, a mean seed protein concentration of 23.8%, and good yielding ability. It is resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to Mycosphaerella blight and Fusarium root rot. CDC Engage is adapted to the field pea growing regions of western Canada.

AAC Magenta is a two-row purple coloured hulless spring food barley (Hordeum vulgare var. nudum) cultivar developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Brandon Research and Development Centre from the cross H319/H326. It was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Hulless Barley Registration Test in 2021 and 2022 and eventually registered on 8 November 2024. The combination of high anthocyanin, protein, and beta-glucan content of this barley renders it a specialty type for use in the food industry and for potential industrial processing.