WEBINAR – The Role of Plant Breeding in Native Seedstock: Defining Challenges and Opportunities
The Role of Plant Breeding in Native Seedstock: Defining Challenges and Opportunities
Dr. Sean Asselin, AAFC Swift Current
Dr. Sean Asselin is a perennial forage breeder with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current. His program is focused on breeding adapted native forages and dual-use grain & forage crops using both classical and molecular biology based breeding approaches to enhance agroecosystem resiliency. Current research and/or projects include:
- Development of native plant germplasm and cultivars (grasses, legumes and forbs) adapted to Western Canada for forage and reclamation uses
- Characterization of the adaptive capacity of native and introduced forage legumes and grasses to abiotic stress (drought and salinity)
- Landscape genomics of grassland species
Interest in native seedstock for forage use has been growing due to its ecological benefits, particularly in sustainable agriculture and land management. Native forages contribute to soil health, biodiversity, and long-term ecosystem stability while offering a low-maintenance alternative to exotic species that dominate pastures and rangelands. However, integrating native species into agroecosystems presents challenges, particularly in seed availability and adaptation. Not all seed sources are of equal quality or suited to their intended environment, creating barriers to widespread adoption. This talk will explore current breeding and characterization efforts aimed at improving the agronomic performance, adaptability, and availability of native seed sources for both forage production and landscape reclamation. By highlighting advances in seed selection and production strategies, we will discuss how these efforts contribute to more resilient and sustainable landscapes.