DNA-Based Wheat ID Technology Could Protect Canada's Brand Reputation

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By Kimberly Bryce, Saskatchewan Research Council

Between 2000 and 2008, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) collaborated with industry stakeholders with the intent to develop DNA-based technology to identify wheat classes and varieties.

Grain industry stakeholders have long confirmed the significant need for a robust and rapid method to identify Canadian wheat varieties. When the federal Minister of Agriculture removed Kernel Visual Distinguishability (KVD) in February 2008, the urgency for a rapid identification method increased.

AAFC’s research, led by Dr. Doug Procunier of the Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg, MB, developed single nucleotide polymorphism markers (SNPs) to advance the goal of developing a DNA-based variety identification technology, which is well-suited to meet industry expectations.

In 2008, SRC responded to an RFP put out by AAFC seeking a commercialization partner to develop DNA testing services for the grain industry to replace the KVD system. A licensing agreement was signed in the spring of 2009. Since then, SRC has been working towards proving out the bench science, attempting to scale up the technology and develop tests relevant to industry needs.

SRC has also agreed to use DNA testing to support the Canadian wheat midge refuge strategy. The midge is a fly that devastates wheat crops across the Prairies. Using AAFC’s technology as a foundation technology, SRC GenServe Laboratories™ plans to develop commercial testing services to identify Canadian wheat varieties.

The Rapid Wheat Identification project is funded through two main sources. Western Economic Diversification Canada and Enterprise Saskatchewan awarded SRC $1.48 million through the Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) program. WEPA funds allowed SRC to purchase equipment and software as well as scale-up a pilot phase process. In addition, SRC is receiving $4.28 million from AAFC’s Agriflexibility Program to carry out further research to develop additional DNA resources for wheat variety identification. After conducting a market assessment through consultation with grain industry stakeholders, it became clear that identifying wheat varieties, rather than classes, will provide the information needed to add value to their businesses. As a result, SRC has focused its efforts on variety identification in order to respond to industry needs.

The project has leveraged resources from across SRC to lend expertise in several different areas. In addition to scientific and technical employees within SRC GenServe Laboratories™, the project relies on SRC’s Development Engineering experts to design and build customized laboratory equipment. SRC’s Information Technology group has designed and developed custom software solutions. And SRC’s corporate infrastructure provides assistance in areas such as communications, purchasing and safety.

To date, SRC has developed, validated and delivered Midge Varietal Blend Verification testing for seed growers across western Canada. These DNA-based tests support the midge refuge strategy.

Testing is required to ensure the percentage frequency of refuge falls within the acceptable ranges as set out by the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA).

Midge tolerant wheat varieties are grown with non-tolerant wheat varieties in an interspersed refuge system. This practice extends the life of the resistance gene (Sm1) within the tolerant variety. The ideal ratio for a midge tolerant blend is 90 per cent tolerant to 10 per cent susceptible.

In order to maintain these ratio levels in the field, CSGA requires that seed crops be tested for compliance with the interspersed refuge system following harvest each year. SRC GenServe Laboratories™ has developed midge varietal blend verification tests for each of the registered blends currently available to seed growers.

For the 2009 crop year, 400 samples were tested and results reported to seed growers in order to obtain crop certificates. SRC GenServe Laboratories™ will be providing this service on an ongoing basis and will begin processing samples for the 2010 crop year this fall.

In addition to supporting the wheat midge refuge strategy, the outcomes of Rapid Wheat Identification project have significant positive impacts for the grain industry and farmers across the country.

Rapidly identifying Canadian wheat varieties will be a vital tool in quality control and risk management throughout the grain handling system. Costs associated with grain shipments that get down-graded in quality are significant and increase dramatically as grain progresses through the handling system.

DNA-based technology will allow for early detection of quality issues, allowing mitigating action to be taken in a timely manner. This could minimize costs and potentially prevent Canada’s reputation for quality from being eroded.

Implementing DNA-based technology will also facilitate identification and segregation of visually indistinguishable varieties, allowing new varieties with highly desirable traits to enter the system that had previously been rejected under KVD due to visual indistinguishability from existing classes. Wheat breeders will have a greater level of freedom in developing new varieties for a number of uses.

Farmers will be able to grow new, higher yielding varieties for uses such as feed and ethanol production, while maintaining Canada’s brand reputation for high quality products and competitiveness in international grain markets.