Grassland Restoration Forum

Festhal spikelets

The Role of Plant Breeding in Native Seedstock: Defining Challenges and Opportunities

Dr. Sean Asselin, AAFC Swift Current

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.

As a non-profit organization we rely on grants, sponsorship and volunteer efforts to support our mandate.  You are welcome to help out by utilizing the Digital Donation Box Below.

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Event Cancellation

How to Use the Range Plant Community Guides and Recovery Strategies

Unfortunately with a number of late cancellations for the Range Plant Community Guides & Recovery Strategies Workshop scheduled for September 13th, 2023 we’ve had to make the tough decision to cancel the workshop for this fall due to insufficient registrations for a cost recovery event.  We will be offering the same workshop in conjunction with the CLRA Conference in March 2024.  The GRF Mailing list will receive notice/announcements about the event as details become available.

We are still proceeding as planned with the Grassland Assessment Classroom & Hands on Field Training on September 14th at the Cassils Hall/Antelope Creek Ranch.

Apologies for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.