b'RETAIL STRATEGYQuinn SturbyUniversity of Saskatchewan Todds TakeSturby is at the forefront of digital phenotyping, leveragingAs global competition intensi es, maintaining technological UAV-based digital imaging to model vegetation growth andleadership is really important. By incorporating digital phenotyp-predict yields. Her work is bringing cutting-edge technology toing into breeding programs, Canada can ensure the develop-Canadian breeding programs, with a specifi c focus on captur- ment of crop varieties speci cally suited to its diverse growing ing growth patterns and canopy measurements in commonconditions. Quinns work shows the power of precision agricul-beans. This data-driven approach is transforming how breedersture, providing plant breeders with advanced tools to enhance assess plant performance, ultimately improving efficiency andeciency, accuracy, and ultimately, the competitiveness of precision in variety development. Canadian seed development on the global stage.At its core, her research aims to reduce the time plants spend in breeding programs, accelerating the path from experi-mental lines to market-ready varieties. Using UAVs, she meas-ures canopy growth metrics such as height, area and volume, as well as growth ratescritical factors linked to plant produc- THE 2025 CANADIAN PLANT BREEDING tivity, yield and harvest index.INNOVATION SCHOLARSHIPS ARE MADE While digital phenotyping has been widely applied toPOSSIBLE BY 11 GREAT SPONSORS!uniform crops like wheat and corn, common beans present a unique challenge due to their irregular growth habits. Unlike these row crops, beans grow unpredictably, with sprawling vines and varying leaf structures that can distort traditional top-down imaging methods.Despite these challenges, Sturby has successfully developed methods to obtain accurate data. Our research shows a strong connection between tradi-tional fi eld measurements and data from UAVs, meaning we can rely less on time-consuming fi eldwork, she explains. This breakthrough makes breeding programs more efficient, allow-ing researchers to make informed decisions using high-resolu-tion, reliable images instead of manual assessments.Beyond phenotyping, her work extends into genetics, where she has identifi ed DNA for traits measured both manually and via drone within the same genomic regions. This discovery underscores the potential of integrating digital imaging with genomic selection, providing breeders with more precise tools to accelerate genetic gains.Her research also holds signifi cant promise beyond common beans. Beans grow in unpredictable ways, making them a chal-lenge to study. But the methods developed here could help make sense of other pulse crops that grow just as unpredictably. By applying this approach to more crops, breeders could fi ne-tune their strategies, making precision agriculture even more eff ective across a wider range of plants.SUPPORTED BY: ENDORSED BY:36 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA MARCH 2025'