Towards Sustainable Economic Growth of Quebec's Agricultural Sector Through Wheat Genetic Improvement in the Era of Climate Change

The effects of climate change have posed significant challenges to wheat production in Quebec. Abiotic stress has notably increased: the winter conditions of 2019 led to the loss of over 33% of winter wheat hectares, while intense droughts in 2020 reduced spring wheat yields by 16–26% compared to the five-year average. Biotic stress is also a concern: excessive rainfall in 2023 heightened disease pressures, leading to a 27% yield reduction.

To support economic growth and development in Quebec's agricultural sector, this project aims to develop wheat varieties that can withstand climate-related stresses. Three categories of traits will be incorporated into new wheat lines:

1. Enhanced yield paired with high quality to ensure profitability,
2. Resilience to abiotic and biotic pressures to protect production, and
3. Improved nitrogen use efficiency to reduce input requirements.

Advanced techniques such as marker-assisted molecular breeding will be used to integrate these traits efficiently, alongside traditional breeding methods and physiological selection. The ultimate goal is to provide Quebec farmers, industry stakeholders, and consumers with wheat varieties better adapted to climate change challenges.