| | Introduction | The Partnership | Field Crop Development Centre | Lacombe Research Centre | The Project Team
Introduction
The Alberta/Canada Barley Development Agreement is a co-operative scientific research program to develop new cultivars of barley that have the production and utilization characteristics needed for the advancement of the agri-food sector in Alberta and the Peace River area of British Columbia.
The Partnership
The Alberta/Canada Barley Development Agreement came into being in 1993 as a joint partnership between:
- Alberta Agriculture & Food
- Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
- Alberta Agricultural Research Institute
In 1996, the fourth member to join this agreement was:
- Alberta Barley Commission
Alberta Agriculture & Food, Field Crop Development Centre in Lacombe is the variety development and genetic resource centre for the team. The Field Crop Development Centre also provides administration and coordination for the project.
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada generously supports the program and gives leadership in the areas of plant pathology, agronomy, malting quality testing and field testing across western Canada.
Since its inception in 1991, the Alberta Barley Commission has funded a variety of research projects conducted by the program. In 1996, they committed additional funds to assist building of the James H. Helm Cereal Research Centre.
The Alberta Agricultural Research Institute is the owner of all intellectual property rights for the cultivars developed within the bounds of this agreement. As a participant they provide insurances to all members that this property is used to the best advantage of the barley industry.
The Field Crop Development Centre
The Field Crop Development Centre of Alberta Agriculture & Food is the location of the main research facilities for the Barley Development Program.
Field and laboratory facilities and the James H. Helm Cereal Research Centre, which was completed in 1998, give staff the opportunity to custom-make the type of barley that domestic and international customers require:
- short, strong straw
- improved disease resistance
- early maturity
- high digestible protein
- malting quality
- feed quality
Lacombe Research Centre
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research Centre is the location responsible for the pathology and agronomy programs for the Barley Development Group. Agronomy, disease and weed management field trials are conducted at Lacombe, Beaverlodge and Fort Vermilion. Field trials at Lethbridge, Beaverlodge and Fort Vermilion support germplasm development for the Field Crop Development Centre.
Agronomy
- an integrated approach to cropping systems research is used to study the interactive effects of 2 or 3 factors that influence agronomic performance of barley yield and silage as well as the effects on weed and disease management.
Pathology
- increased resistance to scald, net blotch and smuts
- development of disease control through cultural practices
- improved methods of selecting resistance genes in the development of new varieties
The Project Team
A diverse research team has come together to develop new and better barley cultivars to enhance the agri-food sector. The team at the Field Crop Development Centre and the Lacombe Research Centre includes:
- Dr. James Helm, Project Leader, Head of the Field Crop Development Centre, Barley Breeder
- Dr. John O'Donovan, Agronomy, Conservation Tillage and Production (AAFC)
- Dr. Neil Harker, Crop Production Systems, Integrated Weed Management (AAFC)
- Dr. Patricia Juskiw , Barley Breeder, Crop Physiologist, Genetics
- Dr. Joseph Nyachiro, Barley Breeder, Seed Dormancy
- Dr. Donald Salmon, Genetics
- Dr. Kelly Turkington, Pathology, Smuts and Integrated Disease Management (AAFC)
- Dr. Kequan Xi , Pathology, Leaf Diseases and Genetics of Disease Resistance
- Dr. Jennifer Zantinge, Molecular Biologist, Biotechnology
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