b'MEET THE MAN WHO MAKES WHEAT BETTERRon Knox has helped take Canadian wheat to heights never imagined. As the 2023 recipient of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Award, we reveal some of his secrets to success.Marc ZienkiewiczRON KNOX REMEMBERSgrowing up on a farm in Saskatchewan and learning about the wonders of wheat with his grandfather.One day I brought in a spike from our wheat field that was all brown and I remember asking him about it. Turns out it was loose smut, and I was fascinated by it. My mom always thought I asked too many questions, but I guess I was always curious about everything. Later on, I helped my grandpa transplant bedding plants in the garden, and I was thrilled when those plants grew and I got to watch them take off, he says. My dad always encouraged that interest. He built me a greenhouse when I was maybe 10 or 12 years old. I loved raising plants and producing my own bedding plants to put out in the garden, and I was always keenly interested in the farming side of things as well.That one spike of wheat he brought into the house that day more than five decades ago can be credited with spawning a whole new generation of modern wheat the likes of which his grandfather could never have imag-ined. Its whats earned Knox the 2023 Plant Breeding & Genetics Award sponsored by Germination and Seeds Canada. The award is given annually to a public or private sector researcher who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of Canadian plant agriculture through research in plant breeding and genetics.Knox, 62, has worked in the cereals program of AAFC2023 Plant Breeding & Genetics Award winner Ron Knox.Swift Current since 1984, beginning as a technician and ultimately working towards a research scientist position in 1994. He also was an active farmer. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTSHes devoted his life to raising agricultural productivityOF RON KNOXby increasing the genetic potential of wheat. Hes figured out how to boost the crops ability to achieve its genetic76WHEAT CULTIVARS DEVELOPEDyield potential using biotechnology and molecular tools. Knox has combined traditional plant breeding with new$1.5BILLION IS THE VALUE OF GRAIN FROM technologies such as marker assisted selection, doubledCULTIVARS HES HAD A DIRECT IMPACT IN THE haploids, genomic sequencing and genomic selection.BREEDING OFKnoxs vision to create integrated modern wheat breed- 11BREAD WHEAT CULTIVARS DEVELOPED THROUGH ing programs has led to the development and commerciali- DOUBLED HAPLOID TECHNOLOGYzation of many innovative bread wheat and durum wheat 34GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2023'