1 www.seed.ab.ca | fall.2018 Table of Contents 28 50 FEATURES 10 ON THE WAY TO NITROGEN-FIXING CEREALS Alberta researchers are making exciting progress in this challenging task. 16 RAMPING UP VARIETY DEVELOPMENT One of the most time-consuming parts of the crop breed- ing process is the time needed to grow successive genera- tions of plants. What if we could really speed that up? 20 CAPTURING VALUE, FUNDING INNOVATION Accessing superior genetics and seed is one way to ensure that Canada remains competitive in global agriculture. 26 VALUE CREATION: WHAT DO FARMERS THINK? The chairmen of Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley say growers are largely uninformed and unsure about the conversation surrounding value creation in cereals. 28 PIONEERING WORK ON FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT IN RYE Breeding, fungicide timing and pathogen research will help provide tools that growers need. 34 IS INTERCROPPING THE FUTURE? The data is in: yield boosts, lowered disease and insect pressure are just some of many benefits of planting two or more crops together. 46 CLUBBING CLUBROOT An update on breeding clubroot-resistant canola. 50 ADDING VALUE TO ALBERTA CROPS Food Processing Development Centre grows province’s food and beverage industries. 54 BECOMING SEED SMART The most important thing you can do for your crop is check your seed’s health. 58 REVOLUTIONIZING WITH CRISPR CRISPR-Cas9 is revolutionizing the way we create novel crops, but why should growers care? 64 FLIPPING THE SWITCH For global researchers studying epigenetics, looking at the surface of the genome could be the key to discovering the next big thing in plant and seed engineering. 68 THE SCOOP ON SEED SYNERGY An attempt to forge a next-generation seed system for Canada is gaining speed. Here’s what you need to know about what’s happening. 34