b'SEED RESEARCH IN NORTH AMERICAA CLOSE LOOK AT THE FUNDING LANDSCAPE, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.BY: TREENA HEINF unding is critical in every sector. For $50 NIFA Funding on Crop Geneticsthe seed industry, changes in both the amount of government funding into crop genetics and specific areas of Millionsfunding focus can have many industry $40impacts. $30In the U.S., most crop genetics research is funded through the U.S. $20Department of Agriculture National $10Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) $-program. Over the past seven years, NIFA2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022has increased crop genetics funding to some extent. In millions of dollars, NIFA allocated roughly $49 in 2016, $65 in 2017,Abiotic Biotic$59 in 2018 and $55 in 2019. There was aBiotechnology/high throughput/ AI Organicjump to $91 in 2020, and a drop to $60 inBioenergy/Bioproduct Education2021 (unsurprising with the pandemic).Nutrition OtherYieldAbout $71 million has so far been allo-cated to date (mid-October) in 2022. In terms of how the focus of this crop genetics funding has changed in recent years, NIFA Senior Public Affairsagriculture (Agriculture and Agri-Foodvarieties of pennycress, research is Specialist John Martins explains thatCanada, AAFC), the National Researchunderway to evaluate storage methods, in 2016, the greatest percentage of cropCouncil, and Innovation, Science andthe quantity and quality of oil extracted, genetic research went towards improve- Economic Development Canada. As inand the shelf life of pennycress oil. For ments in yield. Since then, the majorityother countries, some of this money goesits part, CoverCress is currently commer-of funding on crop genetics has goneto government scientists and to universitycializing golden pennycress as an oilseed towards research on biotic stressors,researchers.biofuel crop to be grown in the northern including pest and disease resistance,The funding covers the full rangeU.S. Corn Belt. and microbiome interactions, he says.of the science innovation continuum,Thisyear,NIFAawardednew The only year where NIFA had morefrom foundational science through to theresearch at AUBURN University in funding going to research on abioticdevelopment of finished varieties, and aAlabama for sustainable acceleration of stressors (drought, extreme tempera- wide range of crop types, states an AAFChop breeding. New varieties with distinct tures, soil salinity, etc.) was 2021. spokesperson. However, given the multi- flavour profiles, disease resistance and/Martins adds that funding towardsple sources and recipients of federal gov- or suitability to a new environment are crop genetics research related to bioen- ernment funding in this broad researchdesired by industry, but quality genome ergy crops peaked in 2017, while therearea, an overall investment figure is notreferences are holding back breeding pro-was a large amount of investment inavailable.gress. Only females develop the valuable biotechnology, such as high-throughputhop cones that are enriched in the bitter phenotyping, in 2020. This year in 2022,SPECIFIC U.S. PROJECTS acids and other essential oils used in beer there was a higher percentage of totalNIFA funds some interesting projects onproduction, so investigators are working funding going towards education/con- both established and newer crops. Aboutto identify the genes involved in initiating ferences and the improvement of nutrient$10 million was given to investigatorsfemale hop cone development versus male content of crops than in previous years. at Western Illinois University, who havepollen development. Additionally, they are worked with other university research- looking for markers that will help acceler-CANADAS FUNDINGers and industrial partner CoverCress toate breeding programs.LANDSCAPE develop golden pennycress. Its a valuableAnd among other hemp projects NIFA At the federal level, the Canadian gov- cover crop planted following corn harvestand other USDA agencies are supporting, ernment invests in seed/crop geneticswith biofuel, feed and food applicationsresearchers at Oregon State University research through multiple funding mech- with both its oil and meal. received funding are examining hop and anisms, including the federal ministry ofIn addition to breeding improvedhemp genetics in one project. The flowers 14IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'