Lead Researcher (PI): Pankaj Bhowmik

Institution: National Research Council of Canada

Total WGRF Funding: $142,887

Co-Funders: Agriculture Development Fund, Alberta Barley Commission, InfraReady Products Ltd., Manitoba Crop Alliance, Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission

Start Date: 2023

Project Length: 4 Years

Objectives:

Evaluate salinity tolerance (ST) in a diverse collection of barley germplasm using high throughput root and shoot phenotyping. Characterize salinity tolerant and sensitive barley genotypes to identify preferred traits for improving ST. Assess performance of salinity tolerant and sensitive barley genotypes in field environments imposing salinity stress. Perform genome wide association mapping of ST. Create GABA-T null mutants using CRISPR gene editing. Develop a high GABA functional food from barley bran.