Canada and the Netherlands Sign Canola Research Pact

Canada's National Research Council (NRC) announced that it is collaborating with the Center for BioSystems Genomics in the Netherlands to launch three agricultural research and development projects on canola. The first research project will focus on the genetics of lipid metabolism in canola to boost the plant's nutritional value. Scientists from the two research institutes will then work together to study seed quality and vigor to improve crop yield and the crop's quality. The last research project will try to better understand the signaling pathways that are involved in the formation of haploid embryos. Better understanding of these pathways will help plant breeders to improve their breeding process.

"This collaboration with the Netherlands will contribute to new knowledge that will benefit one of Canada's most important resources," said NRC president Pierre Coulombe. Canada is the world's second largest canola producer, after China. Canola is estimated to contribute more than $14 billion annually to the Canadian economy.

The press release is available at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/news/nrc/2009/07/20/crop-production.html