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The article presents abstracts of several plant science research which include "Human health issues and wheat," by C. Taylor, "The future of publicly funded wheat development in Canada," by S. Fox, and "Canadian wheat pioneers," by G. Marten.

Glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) was first identified in Canada in 2008. Although early studies attributed resistance in this species solely to non-target site mechanisms, the presence of a proline (P) to serine (S) mutation at position 106 of EPSPS2 in common and giant ragweed has recently been reported. The objective of this research was (i) to determine whether a P106S mutation is present in historical samples of giant ragweed seed collected from the site of the first report of glyphosate resistance, and (ii) to determine the frequency and distribution of P106S in resistant and susceptible biotypes collected as part of historical surveys throughout southwestern Ontario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbicide resistance in western Canada has increased interest in alternative weed management strategies. Physical impact mills, a form of harvest weed seed control, have been identified as a strategy that may be well suited for Canadian use. The efficacy of the Harrington Seed Destructor, a physical impact mill, was evaluated in 20 producer fields in Alberta on a wide spectrum of weed species over 3 years. Significant differences in weed densities between the physical impact mill treatment and the regular harvest densities were few; however, some population density reductions were observed. Measurable reductions in weed densities may have been limited by the short timeframe of the experiment, the high initial densities of the weeds, or the targeted weed species having dormancy or longer term seedbanks. Additionally, identified knowledge gaps on how best to optimize physical impact mill efficacy may have reduced the efficacy of the physical impact mill in this study. This study showed no conclusive evidence for the efficacy of a physical impact mill on tested weed species under field conditions. However, it did provide a number of important considerations for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars developed for improved digestibility by conventional breeding or genetic modification have not been evaluated in eastern Canada. This study compared yield, nutritive value, and profitability of two reduced-lignin genetically modified (GM) cultivars, three conventionally selected for low lignin or high pectin, and one population with improved stem degradability, with two commercially adapted cultivars as controls. Alfalfa was harvested at the early bud (intensive management) or early flower (extensive management) stage of development during the first post-seeding year at three sites and the second post-seeding year at one site. All cultivars/populations had similar annual dry matter (DM) yields, except for the lower DM yield (−20%) of the improved stem degradability population. Conventionally selected cultivars for improved digestibility did not differ from control cultivars for in vitro DM digestibility (IVTD) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFd). Reduced-lignin GM cultivars, however, had a greater IVTD and NDFd (+10%) and less lignin (−10%) than control cultivars at the same stage of development. Reduced-lignin GM cultivars under extensive management had similar NDFd and greater annual DM yield (+1 to 2 Mg DM ha−1), but reduced total digestible nutrients (−41 to 44 g kg−1 DM), in comparison to control cultivars under intensive management. Using partial budget analysis, the comparison of more digestible GM cultivars to the control cultivars resulted in an increase in annual farm net profits ranging from CAD$7.40 to $79.60 cow−1 year−1 depending on stage of development at harvest. Further investigations are needed to quantify the performance of dairy cows fed cultivars with improved digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green manure residual effect on soil health 2 years later in crop rotation is understudied. Little is known about weed biomass impact on soil microbial communities or their interactions. A Colchester County, NS, Canada, organic grain research trial during 2016-2017 comprised 2 or 3-year rotations with or without green manure crop prior to wheat, and then soybeans. Fall soil sampling was conducted both years. The soybean phase of the crop rotation was managed as weedy or non-weedy. Weedy soil showed significantly increased soil respiratory activity and fungal microbial biomass. Green manure treatments did not significantly influence soil health indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this literature review was to compile research findings on climate change and its impacts on crop production in Prairie Provinces of Canada. Our search strategy included finding primary literature articles from various databases. Seven articles reported increases in average and minimum air temperature over time in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. Increases in maximum air temperature were smaller than that forminimum air temperature. Growing degree days and corn heat units also increased over time, which has allowed for potential expansion of corn growth northwards. While overall increases in average annual precipitation and growing season precipitation have occurred in Canada between 1900 and 2021, western Canada showed increases in some regions but decreases in others. Off-season precipitation and snow cover duration in Canada have decreased since 1950. The number of frost-free days has increased across Canada, on the Prairies and southern Saskatchewan since 1900. Annual snowfall has decreased since 1950 and across Canada the annual maximum snow depth has also decreased. Overall, studies focusing on the Prairie Provinces in Canada have shown accelerated changes in several climate parameters over time, affecting cropping areas and crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soybean industry in Canada aimed to extensively expand soybean production to benefit from new early-maturing varieties and the warming climate. However, setbacks in the soybean industry since 2017 demonstrated the impacts of climate risk and global market uncertainty. Therefore, a better understanding of future climate conditions that will impact soybean growth in Canada is needed for decision-making in the sector, such as prioritizing regions for expansion and developing climate change adaptation strategies through either agronomic management practices or breeding new cultivars. Based on climate projections from a set of global climate models, we analyzed climate conditions for growing soybeans, including growing season start, crop heat units, precipitation, precipitation deficits and climate extremes, in the near-term (2030s), the mid-term (2050s) and the distant future (2070s). We found that a future warmer climate with an increase of 1.6, 2.8 and 4.1 °C in the growing season (May–September) mean temperature averaged over Canada's land area in the near-term, mid-term and distant future under SSP3-7.0 would favour the expansion of soybean production further north and west. However, an increase of approximately 200 mm in precipitation deficits on the semiarid Canadian Prairies in the mid-term would constrain soybean production unless irrigation could be introduced. Heat- and drought-tolerant cultivars should be developed to adapt soybean production to a changing climate, in addition to the adoption of late-maturing cultivars that would benefit from the lengthened growing season and increased crop heat units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the agricultural sector, innovation is a vital economic driver for increasing food production. New crop varieties are developed and commercialized, greatly contributing to improved global food security through higher yields, improved nutrition and climate resiliency. Canada is a competitive and innovative actor in the global seed market. This article quantifies the degree of improvement for numerous crop traits required for commercialization success. We use empirical data from seed producers in the prairies to identify their adoption criteria to multiply new seed varieties. Results show that yield potential, disease resistance and lodging resistance are the key traits for pedigreed seed growers regardless of crop type, while other agronomic traits depend on the crop type. Quality factors such as malting or milling properties for cereals, protein content for pulses and oil content for oilseeds are also part of the variety selection decision process for prairie pedigreed seed growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme climatic events, such as drought and heavy rainfall, are increasing with climate change. These events can threaten agroecosystems, including vineyards. Cover crops are often grown in vineyards for various reasons and can be an effective strategy for climate change adaptation. Understanding which cover crop species can establish well under extreme climate conditions is important. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the responses of nine cover crop species to overwatered and water-deficit conditions. Treatments included (1) overwatered soil condition, watered at 100% field capacity daily, (2) control, watered at 60%–70% every other day, and (3) water deficit, watered at 15%–20% weekly for 53 growing days. Results indicated that the total dry weight of all species decreased (most significantly) under water-deficit conditions. However, pubescent wheatgrass and red fescue did not exhibit any stress symptoms. Apart from alfalfa, all species established well under overwatered conditions despite slight yellowing of foliage for crimson clover and hairy vetch. Pearl millet and yellow sweet clover had the best establishment regardless of conditions. Our results provide important information on the selection of cover crops that can withstand climatic variability and thrive in the extreme conditions linked to the climate change scenario in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigated agriculture in semi-arid regions is expected to increase in the future, which puts greater demands on scarce water resources. Sustainable irrigation strategies in semi-arid regions will support agricultural resilience to climatic change. The response of "Sweetheart"/Mazzard sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) to postharvest deficit irrigation (PDI), as a water conservation method, was studied over three seasons (2019–2022) in the semi-arid Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, at five commercial orchards. The following irrigation treatments were applied; (i) a control of full irrigation, irrigated according to conventional growers' practice at each orchard, (ii) PDI-30: 27%–33% reduction in irrigation volume, after harvest (67%–73% of control), and (iii) PDI-50: 47%–52% reduction in irrigation volume, after harvest (48–53% of control). Spring phenology (the timing of flower bud development, from side green to full bloom), flower bud moisture content and cold hardiness, and fruit yield and quality (before and after cold storage and shelf-life conditions) were assessed to determine if PDI altered fruit development over the subsequent growing season. Neither PDI-30 nor PDI-50 caused changes in the timing of flower bud phenology, cold hardiness or moisture content relative to the control. PDI treatments also had no effect on fruit yield or fruit quality at harvest or after storage and shelf-life conditions. These results suggest PDI could be used to reduce irrigation water use in semi-arid regions, like the Okanagan Valley, without affecting sweet cherry production or fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Peace River region is one of the northern agricultural frontiers in Canada, undergoing farmland expansion as well as intensification with input-intensive industrial agriculture. The cropping systems evolved with the rotations between annual grain and perennial forage crops as a prudent adaptation to fragile, crust-forming, runoff-prone, poorly developed, platy-structured acidic Luvisolic soils. In recent years, there is a decline in the acreage of perennial forage seed crops leading to simplified low-diversity cropping systems with heavy reliance on external inputs. The production systems have been prone to the rapid evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds, and outbreaks of crop diseases and insect pests in the face of global warming. A number of studies conducted in the Peace River region and other parts of North America have shown multiple benefits of integrating perennial forage crops in the cropping systems. By virtue of high root-to-shoot ratio and perennial growth, forage seed crops can provide multiple ecological services in the fragile Luvisolic soil through increased soil organic matter, carbon sequestration, soil biological diversity, soil structural improvement, nutrient mobilization, crop protection and environmental health, thereby creating conducive effects to the resilient performance of the cropping systems. This review discusses the merits of crop rotations in general and those of perennial forage seed crops in particular in the face of changing climate, with special reference to studies conducted in the Prairies and Peace region of western Canada. Research opportunities are highlighted to elucidate multidimensional ecosystem services from diversified cropping sequences integrating perennial forage seed crops. Au Canada, la région de la rivière de la Paix marque une des limites les plus nordiques de l'agriculture. Les terres arables continuent de s'y étendre et l'agriculture industrielle s'y intensifie grâce à l'usage massif d'intrants. Les systèmes culturaux ont évolué et la prudence a voulu qu'on adopte des assolements annuels de céréales et de plantes fourragères vivaces en raison de la fragilité du sol, constitué de luvisols acides, mal développés, à structure lamellaire, qui forment des croûtes et sont sensibles au ruissellement. Depuis quelques années cependant, on assiste à une diminution de la superficie consacrée à la production de graines de plantes fourragères vivaces et à l'avènement de systèmes culturaux plus simples, moins diversifiés, qui reposent lourdement sur l'apport externe d'intrants. Avec le réchauffement climatique, pareils systèmes favorisent l'apparition rapide d'adventices résistantes aux herbicides, mais aussi de maladies et d'infestations de ravageurs. Plusieurs études réalisées dans la région de la rivière de la Paix et ailleurs en Amérique du Nord ont illustré les nombreux avantages de l'intégration de plantes fourragères vivaces aux systèmes culturaux. En raison de leur rapport racines:pousses élevé et de leur caractère vivace, les cultures grainières de plantes fourragères pourraient améliorer de diverses manières l'écologie fragile des luvisols (hausse de la quantité de matière organique, séquestration du carbone, diversité de la biologie du sol, amélioration de la structure du sol, mobilisation des éléments nutritifs, protection des cultures, vitalité de l'environnement), ce qui rendrait les cultures plus résilientes. Les auteurs examinent les avantages de l'assolement en général et des assolements de culture grainière de plantes fourragères en particulier face au changement climatique, en faisant spécialement référence aux études réalisées dans les Prairies et la région de la rivière de la Paix, dans l'Ouest canadien. Ils signalent les possibilités de recherche qui permettraient d'élucider les services multidimensionnels à l'écosystème attribuables à la diversité des séquences culturales qui intègrent la production des graines de plantes fourragères vivaces. [Traduit par la Rédaction] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fusarium head blight is a common disease of oat and resistant cultivars are not available in Canada. The effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization on the incidence of seed-borne Fusarium spp. was evaluated under natural field conditions in three locations (Ottawa, ON; Melfort, SK; and Normandin, QC) in Canada in 2013 and 2014. At each site, oat cultivars CDC Morrison, AAC Nicolas, and AAC Noranda were used under four levels of N fertilization (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha-1). Of the seven Fusarium spp. recovered, F. poae, F. equiseti, F. graminearum,F. sporotrichioides, and F. avenaceum were the most common species and were isolated from 9.6%, 1.3%, 1.1%, 1.0%, and 0.3% of the harvested grain, representing 72%, 10%, 8%, 7%, and 3% of the pathogen population, respectively. The remaining species, F. acuminatum and F. oxysporum, were each recovered from a single seed only. A significant N treatment effect (P < 0.05) was observed in four of the six location-years in which the highest N treatment of 150 kg N ha-1 resulted in greater incidence of the predominant species (F. poae) and total Fusarium spp. than the untreated control (0 kg N ha-1). Among the commonly recovered species, only seed-borne infection by F. graminearum increased significantly with the levels of N treatments applied. A highly significant effect of location, year, and location × year interaction (P < 0.01) was observed, suggesting that the field and weather conditions have a stronger influence on incidence of seed-borne Fusarium spp. than the N treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article looks at the history of the series on the biology of Canadian weeds. A series under the title "The Biology of Canadian Weeds" was published by the Agricultural Institute of Canada. The first account was published in October 1973 and it focused on the native weed species sheep-laurel (Kalmia angustifolia L.). A list of accounts on the biology of Canadian weeds published to date is also presented.

The article presents the study which determined the effects of harvest date on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) forage and silage characteristics and their relationship to specific methane yield from anaerobically digested switchgrass silage. It claims that switchgrass is native of North America. The grass has been studied as an energy crop in the U.S. and Canada.

The article presents a study which compared the phenotypic variations of side-oats grama grass [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx) Torr.] collections from different locations of the Canadian prairie but grown in a common nursery. The aim of the study is to find the best varieties suitable for drier regions of western Canada. Among the collections that were studied are the Alexander, Sidney and Wolseley collections.

The article presents an evaluation of the possible invasion of weed species to Canada from the U.S. It examines the potential for invasive plant species to be chosen for one or more of 10 character traits, including high growth rate, broad climatic or environmental tolerance, and short generation time. Among the plant species that were assessed are the Himalayan balsam or Impatiens glandilifera Royle and velvetleaf or Abutilon theophrasti Medic.

The article examines the recruitment and ecology of crabgrass in managed turfgrass, and the implications for weed management in the context of a cosmetic pesticide ban in Canada. It explores the response of crabgrass to cultural management techniques in turfgrass and the existence of substanstive gaps in knowledge in relation to crabgrass management . It is suggested that regional assessments of crabgrass populations are needed to determine the most appropriate management strategies.

The article discusses the results of a study on the influence of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer on the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of continuous wheat and fallow-wheat-wheat using balance and difference methods. The study revealed that nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in the balance method was not affected by fertilizer or crop rotation. It mentioned that NUE was greater in continuous wheat than in fallow-wheat-wheat in the difference method.

The article discusses the benefits of integrating green manure and grazing systems to crops such as legumes in Canada. It explains plant-related aspects to determine the feasibility of grazed green manure systems such as green manure productivity, forage quality parameters and animal performance. It also explores the factors that affect the integration of herbivores into grazed green manure systems, including nutrient partitioning in the animals, nutrient distribution and nutrient losses.

The article presents information on a study on the suitability of mungbean Vigna radiara (L.) Wilczek accessions for commercial production in regions similar to those used for dry bean production on southern Canadian prairies. The field studies were conducted at two locations in southern Alberta in 2007 and 2008 and at one location in southern Manitoba in 2007. A low seed yield was noted, but an increase in seed yield can be obtained with improvements in cultural practice and cultivar development.