CAnadian Hard Red WINTter Wheat breeding by genomic tools, lab and field experiments

Saatzucht Donau will develop wheat varieties of the Canadian quality class Hard Red Winter (HRW) for marketing in Canada and beyond e.g. in bordering US states. Genomic selection tools for winter hardiness based on Canadian and European field and laboratory results will be elaborated. Wheat quality of broad genetic material will be comparatively analysed in Canada and Europe with the goal of developing a quality selection index for Canadian HRW wheat enabling indirect pre - selection of genetic material in Austria prior to shipment and direct field testing in Canada and beyond. A new genepool comprising Canadian and European wheat material for mid-and long term germplasm improvement will be created using genomics and male sterile wheat mutants developed by BOKU University. New wheat varieties with improved winter hardiness and excellent yield, processing and baking quality will be introduced to the Canadian market.