Targeted and Useful Genomics for Barley and Oat (Tugboat)

Funding period: 2019-2024
Lead: Nick Tinker
Total GRDI funding: $1,411,080

Barley is grown on ~2.5 million hectares, producing ~7.9 million tonnes of grain worth over $1.5 billion. Oat is grown on ~1 million hectares, producing ~3.4 million tonnes of grain worth at least $47 million. While both crops are used primarily for animal feed, their use and value for food and malt are increasingly important. Both crops also support large export markets – Canada being the leading world exporter of oats, and the second largest exporter of malt barley. Both barley and oat are consumed as whole grains and/or whole-grain ingredients, and both provide high levels of soluble fibre in the form of β-glucan, which has health benefits. Barley is also the major source of malt for use in brewing. Because these food uses command higher farm-gate prices, grain quality and grain composition are important breeding objectives, along with yield and disease resistance, in both crops. This project will address three primary objectives in both crops: to increase the speed and efficiency of cultivar development, and to measurably improve the average quality of advanced germplasm in the breeding streams; to prepare and refine genomic resources, anticipating and proactively responding to opportunities in targeted gene discovery and deployment; and to cultivate stronger and more effective partnerships that will flourish beyond the scope and timeframe of this project.