b'Beyond malting barley, PRCOB also evaluated new food barley and oat varieties with enhanced nutritional characteristics.One food barley candidate was a black hulless barley com-bining high beta-glucan fibre with a dark aleurone layer.High beta glucans are known for preventing heart diseases and lowering cholesterol, Izydorczyk said. The darker grain colour also indicates higher antioxidant content.Oat breeding programs are also showing significant yield gains. Six oat lines were considered, each with at least eight to nine per cent higher yield compared to existing check varieties.Several lines also contain higher beta-glucan levels, reaching up to 6.5%.Despite the advances, Izydorczyk said multi-location trials remain essential to confirm performance. A proposed genetically modified canola-quality mustard line from The rigour of the data we generate lies in the fact that weBASF known as InVigor Gold is raising concerns about potential export test in multiple locations, she said. market risks.Another concern is the possible loss of specialized disease nurseries at sites such as Lacombe.Those specialized nurseries cannot really be replicated else- These four yellow field pea lines have protein content where, at least not in the near futureif ever, she said. that are similar to or greater than the check cultivars CDC Spectrum and AAC Profit, said committee chair Parthiba Mustard Yields Jump Nearly 10% Balasubramanian.Oilseed discussions at the PGDC meetings also highlightedProtein levels are increasingly important as yellow peas are progress in mustard breeding. widely used in fractionation for plant-based food ingredients.Ken Jackle, chair of the Prairie Recommending CommitteeThe committee also reviewed a faba bean line with smaller for Oilseeds (PRCO), said a new condiment mustard lineseed size, which developers say may improve processing effi-expected to advance this year shows nearly a 10% yield advan- ciency for protein extraction and starch production.tage over existing varieties.He credited Dr. Bifang Chengs breeding program at AAFCSeeds Canada Highlights Breeding Investment ToolsSaskatoon for the improvements. Discussions at PGDC also included how innovation in plant Thats a very positive thing for our mustard growers, hebreeding is supported financially.said. Seeds Canada held a special session to highlight tools such At the same time, a proposed genetically modified canola- as the Variety Use Agreement (VUA), which allows breeders quality mustard line is raising concerns about potential exportto collect royalties on farm-saved seed. Lauren Comin, policy market risks. director for Seeds Canada, said the session was intended to The Brassica juncea variety in question is InVigor Goldhighlight the broader ecosystem supporting plant breeding.developed by BASF. What we really wanted to do was remind everyone that Jackle warned that contamination of Canadas mustardthere are other players in the system and that we should encour-supply chain could jeopardize key export markets. age those players, she said.What were trying to do is find a methodology by whichMany seed companies rely on germplasm originating from that genetically modified canola-quality mustard is preventedAAFC breeding programs.from entering into the market, he said. Comin noted plant breeding in Canada functions as a net-He compared the situation to the Triffid flax incident ofwork of public and private participants.2009, when traces of a deregistered GM flax variety disruptedIts not private or publicits an ecosystem, and its a exports to Europe. delicate ecosystem, she said.If the modified GM construct gets into the mustard chain,The VUA is one of several mechanisms companies use to it could easily result in market closure, he said. support investment in variety development.The VUA is a big one, but some of our members are using Pulse Breeding Targets Protein and Processing single-use contracts, patents, technology use agreements or Pulse breeding programs are also responding to growingclosed-loop systems, Comin said.demand for plant-based protein. Ultimately, she said, protecting intellectual property helps The Prairie Recommending Committee for Pulses andsustain the development of new crop genetics.Special Crops (PRCPSC) reviewed 18 candidate lines this yearThat desire to keep plant breeding healthy in Canada across several crops. was the focus of a talk given by Plant Breeders Right Office Four of the five field pea lines under review were yellow peasCommissioner Anthony Parker at this years PGDC plenary with strong protein content. session. Parker said collaboration between producers, public MARCH 2026SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA 17'