Recognition of the Interdependence of Genetics and Crop Management Allows Expansion of the North American Great Plains Winter Wheat Production Area.

Winter survival restricted the northern limit of the traditional North American Great Plains winter wheat production area to southern Alberta. Early efforts to expand winter wheat production into the higher winter stress regions focused on increasing cold tolerance through plant breeding and intensive tillage systems, especially summerfallow. In the 1970’s, a research and development program was initiated with the objective of expanding production north and east into the remainder of the Canadian prairies. A review of the research literature, the results of extensive screening of germplasm collections, and a lack of success with hybridization programs indicated that the cold hardiness genetic potential of wheat had reached a maximum and had not been improved upon for decades. Given this limitation, the solution to the winter survival problems came through the development and adoption of no-till seeding methods that maintained a protective winter snow cover. This approach reduced the risk of low-temperature damage and allowed for successful overwintering of wheat when cold hardy cultivars were grown using recommended management practices. Subsequent plant breeding improvements increased production potential and winter wheat is now western Canada’s third largest wheat class. Average commercial yields of 149, 125, and 118 percent of spring wheat in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, respectively, have demonstrated the high yield potential that can be realized while employing these environmentally sustainable crop management practices. This experiment in crop adaptation emphasizes the need for a coordinated approach that combines programs in agronomy, plant breeding/genetics, information transfer, and market development for successful crop adaptation to a new or changing environment. It also provides an example of the interdependence of genetics and crop management in solving world food issues.