The goal of the "Enhancing Canola Through Genomics" project is to develop and employ genomic tools in the studies of seed development and composition in Brassica oilseeds crops. The acquired knowledge will also be applied to other important crops such as cereals and pulses. 

Agriculture and food processing is the third largest industrial sector in Canada and generates more than $100 billion in annual economic activity. The economic viability of agricultural production is the focus of the proposed initiative. The research will target seed development and seed composition with the long-term aim of developing crop varieties with improved quality that will help to sustain commodity prices or provide access to new value-added and niche markets. This value-added principle was employed in the development of canola in Saskatoon. The removal of erucic acid from rapeseed produced a healthy edible oil with a much improved market position and the removal of anti-nutritional compounds from the meal converted a green manure into a valuable constituent of animal feed.

Researchers from the National Research Council and from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will collaborate to achieve various objectives. Within three years we expect this project will lead to a better understanding of seed development and composition in Brassica species. The new knowledge will reinforce Canada’s strong position in crop genomics and will permit the application of new discoveries to agricultural production and industries in Canada.

© 2003 Enhancing Canola Through Genomics . . . A Genome Prairie Project