Developing barley Germplasm with improved resistance to fusarium head blight for western Canada

This Barley Research Cluster project was funded by Alberta Barley in collaboration with the Atlantic Grains Council, the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute, Rahr Malting and the Western Grains Research Foundation via the AgriInnovation Program.

Project lead:
Dr. W.G. Legge
Scientist, Barley Breeding and Genetics
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Start Date: April 2013

End Date: March 2018

Total funding from other partners: $713,489

Benefits for barley farmers:
This activity will reduce mycotoxin content, mainly deoxynivalenol (DON), in barley germplasm and varieties, which would enhance the safety of barley products throughout the industry and increase marketability, resulting in greater returns to producers and the industry. It also provided DON data for the registration tests and FHB ratings for varieties to producers through provincial seed guides or fact sheets.

Summary:
The project aims to develop barley germplasm for western Canada in all classes of barley with improved fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance. Thousands of barley lines were evaluated and selected in the 2013 FHB nurseries, with promising lines advanced as appropriate, and new crosses were made to improve FHB resistance.