Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
Cereal crops are high value staple crops for humans and feed livestock. Cereal crop growth is limited by nitrogen avaibility in the soil. In agriculture, nitrogen limitation is circumvented by application of N fertilizers, which present significant costs and contribute to environmental pollution.
This research will study wheat and triticale that can fix atmospheric N2 for their own needs, which would increase cereal crop productivity in nitrogen-deficient soils and enhance sustainability of system management practices in agriculture. This would reduce the amount of N fertilizer application, saving both money and reducing the environmental impact.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
By developing stable N2-fixing wheat and triticale, it would improve competitiveness, profitability, and sustainability of Alberta's agriculture. Additional outcomes may include higher yield, better water-use efficiency, and shorter flowering time.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Findings will be used to train students, post-docs and technicians, build research capacity, and establish linkages with future collaborators and interested industrial partners. Knowledge will be shared through scientific and industry-oriented publications.