Protecting Canada’s number one crop through genetics

Whether you love the sight of the beautiful gold fields across Canada or enjoy your heart-healthy canola oil, it is easy to understand that Canada cannot afford to lose about 30% of its number one crop annually. Yet white mould or sclerotinia sclerotiorum, canola’s number one yield killer, causes a huge economic loss for growers across the country.

Dr. Mark Belmonte, professor at the department of biological sciences, in collaboration with other researchers at the Faculty of Science, is using genetics to develop a species-specific molecular fungicide and win the battle against sclerotinia.

Belmonte tells us that while fungicides are a traditional way to combat white mould, they also have negative impacts on other beneficial organisms that are found within the ecological environment. Their approach, however, targets sclerotinia alone with no negative impact on the environment. He emphasizes the need for new technologies in the rise of more resistance that is developing in sclerotinia.

Watch the full interview to see how UM researchers aim to save an almost $30 billion industry in Canada.

Kimia Shadkami