Using
apomixis is the aim for a $625,000 round of funding for the researchers at the University
of Saskatchewan.
Martin
Mau, a senior researcher at the Global Institute for Food Security at the
University of Saskatchewan, is heading the effort which could cut variety
development time from 10 to two to four years.
That’s because
apomixis is the ability for a mother plant to produce seed without pollen from
male organs. Once a plant breeder has incorporated the desired traits, seed can
be multiplied via apomixis.
It
would also mean that farmers could save seed of varieties created by hybrid breeding.
The first step is generating apomixis in crops that currently
are dominated by hybrids, such as corn. Apomixis exists in plants such as buttercups,
Kentucky bluegrass and St. John’s wort.
