International agreement to focus on improved

durum wheat disease resistance

Canadian Wheat Alliance and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center will
collaborate on improving the yield, sustainability, and profitability of wheat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2014 Saskatoon, SK The Canadian Wheat Alliance (CWA) and the International
Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) will collaborate on research to provide
farmers in Canada and in developing countries access to stronger, more resistant durum wheat.
The joint research builds upon both organizations programs to improve the yield, sustainability
and profitability of wheat.

The research represents an opportunity to improve durum wheats resistance to diseases of
concern to CIMMYT and CWA, while providing economic benefits for Canadian wheat farmers.
Researchers will seek to reduce the effects of wheat rust diseases and of Fusarium head blight,
a cause of dangerous toxins in grain, by increasing durum wheats resistance to these global
fungal diseases, leveraging the expertise of CWA in wheat genomics approaches and
CIMMYTs expertise in field trials.

Quick Facts

CIMMYT is a non-profit, research-for-development institution that works through global
partnerships to develop and promote improved maize and wheat varieties and cropping
systems for developing countries. The Center conserves, studies, and shares one of the
worlds largest and most diverse maize and wheat seed collections.
The Canadian Wheat Alliance represents an unprecedented 11-year commitment among
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, the Government of
Saskatchewan and the National Research Council Canada, to support and advance
research that will improve the profitability of Canadian wheat producers.
The Canadian Wheat Alliances six projects focus on reducing crop losses due to drought,
heat, cold stress, and disease, while reducing nitrogen fertilizer requirements for the benefit
of Canadian farmers.
Fusarium head blight has cost Canadian wheat producers more than CAD $1.5 billion in lost
income since the mid-1990s. See additional links.
During 2001-03, a new strain of leaf rust overcame the resistance of the most widely grown
variety in a 250,000-hectare durum wheat cropping area in northwestern Mexico, causing
grain losses worth an estimated US $32 million and chemical control costs of over $16
million. A 2004 study showed that CIMMYTs work over a 40-year span to improve the
resistance of spring bread wheat to leaf rust generated economic benefits of more than $5
billion. See additional links.
Quotes

Our government is pleased to help advance this important wheat research through our
investment of $1.5 million. Saskatchewan is the worlds leading exporter of durum wheat and
the development of disease resistant varieties is important to the continued growth of our
industry and to our efforts to help feed a growing global population.

Lyle Stewart, Agriculture Minister, Government of Saskatchewan


Our collaboration with CIMMYT, one of the worlds most reputable organizations in the field
of wheat improvement, will allow Canadian wheat farmers to benefit from the Centers world-
class and extensive research. This strategic arrangement will help us to achieve the
Canadian Wheat Alliances main objectives of improving the yield, sustainability and
profitability of Canada wheat.

Roman Szumski, Chair of the Canadian Wheat Alliance Steering Committee

The world uses more than 25 million tons of durum wheat each year, either for pasta or as a
key food staple and source of livelihoods in North Africa and the Middle East. This
collaboration will help to assure sufficient durum wheat production and quality to meet rising
global demand.

Hans Braun, Director, CIMMYTs Global Wheat Program

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Related Products

Fact Sheet Canadian Wheat Alliance

Additional Links

Canadian Wheat Alliance (CWA)
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Genomics R&D Initiative Annual performance report 2012-2013
American Phytopathological Society Occurrence and Impact of a New Leaf Rust Race
on Durum Wheat in Northwestern Mexico from 2001 to 2003
CIMMYT The Economic Impact in Developing Countries of Leaf Rust Resistance
Breeding in CIMMYT-Related Spring Bread Wheat

Contacts

Media Relations Team
National Research Council of Canada
613-991-1431
1-855-282-1637 (24/7)
media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Twitter: @nrc_cnrc

Scott Mall
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
+1 404-988-5900 (mobile)

s.mall@cgiar.org

Angela Hall
Government of Saskatchewan
306-787-2359
306-527-0521(mobile)
angela.hall@gov.sk.ca