Progress and opportunities in seed genomics research at the Plant Biotechnology InstituteThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in a Special Issue from the National Research Council of Canada – Plant Biotechnology Institute.

Abstract

Seed crops play a major role in the global food and feed supply industries. Cereals, oilseeds, and legumes are the predominant seed crops grown in Canada. Brassica napus L. (canola) is the most important oilseed, and currently contributes over $13 billion to the Canadian economy (Canola Council of Canada). The value of oilseed crops, canola in particular, is expected to grow owing to the increasing demand for food, feed, and bioproduct (including biodiesel) applications. In the last 6 years, the Plant Biotechnology Institute (PBI) of the National Research Council Canada, in partnership with several collaborators, has been involved in the study of oilseed crops genomics, in particular Brassica spp., to improve our understanding of this important crop. The research is providing insights into key gene function that can be applied to the improvement of crop performance, productivity, and quality, to meet the increased demand. PBI has focused its activities on two strategic areas. First, the generation of genomics resources that can be used for the study of B. napus and related species. The resources include the development of expressed sequence tags (ESTs), genomic DNA sequences, and the development of DNA arrays. Secondly, a systematic analysis of seed development and composition aimed at improving our understanding of the seed biology. Similar genomics tools developed in Brassica are now being developed in other crops including flax and legumes. Progressing from genomics to functional genomics, these research engagements will be a significant step towards understanding the molecular processes underlying seed composition, quality, yield, and stress resistance of plants thus facilitating the development of elite germplasm.