Today, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and the Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture announced $6.5 million toward enhanced capacity at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) phytotron.
The phytotron provides a controlled environment to allow researchers to determine how soils, plants, water, light, wind and pests interact under a variety of conditions. The funding will increase the environmental chamber capacity from 60 to 100 per cent.
“Our Government understands that investments in agricultural innovation create new crops for Canadian farmers, and help to strengthen our economy,” said Minister Ritz. “That’s why we are proud to be supporting the phytotron and the important research it facilitates.”
“The work done at the phytotron is an important part of our success in agricultural research and production,” Bjornerud said. “We are pleased to provide this funding, which will result in new crop varieties that benefit our producers.”
Western Economic Diversification Canada, under the Western Diversification Program, is providing $4.5 million. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is providing $2 million through its Agriculture Research budget. The University of Saskatchewan is providing $3 million to the facility.
“We are deeply grateful for our governments’ investments in the phytotron, which has been critically important in the development of so many innovations in plant growth and environmental management,” said Dean Mary Buhr, College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “The producers, who are also our partners, and the world’s consumers will directly benefit as we now rapidly lead the way into the bioeconomy of the future.”
In addition, industry groups including the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and the Western Grains Research Foundation have provided $3 million to the facility.
“The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) Board knows that the research being conducted here at the University of Saskatchewan is fundamental to the development of the pulse industry,” says Murray Purcell, SPG Board Chair. “Our one million dollar investment in the Phytotron Renewal Project will continue to keep us as leaders in the global pulse industry.”
“WGRF strives to ensure that the producer dollars we invest in crop research generate an economic return for all Western Canadian producers,” said Lanette Kuchenski, Executive Director, Western Grains Research Foundation. “WGRF’s decision to contribute to the renewal of the Phytotron is one that will benefit all crop producers and provide a great return on investment for years to come.”
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Patrick Boyle
Media Relations
Saskatchewan Agriculture
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 787-2359
Kira Paluck
Communications Co-ordinator
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-6873
kira.paluck@usask.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Phytotron
- A phytotron is a completely closed greenhouse that provides the ability to conduct processes not possible in the outside environment, such as:
- specialized crossing techniques,
- detailed studies of disease and plant adaptation to drought,
- cold temperatures and other abiotic stresses, and
- the ability to conduct plant research throughout the year.
- One of the largest controlled-environment facilities in the world, the University of Saskatchewan’s phytotron is comprised of 183 growth chambers that range in size from one-to-20-square metres. These chambers provide a controlled environment (humidity, temperature, day length and light intensity) for plant research and breeding. Unlike a field or greenhouse, the phytotron allows researchers to determine how soils, plants, water, light, wind and pests interact under a variety of conditions.
- Intense lighting duplicates sunlight within the controlled chambers, thereby allowing plant development to move rapidly through the early generations of breeding programs. The environment enables plant breeders to produce three generations of plants in any given year, thereby accelerating the development and market access of new crop varieties suitable for Saskatchewan conditions.
- The phytotron at the University of Saskatchewan plays a key role in the development of crop varieties and plant science research in Western Canada. This research provides farmers with new and innovative crop varieties, better information about production, and higher yielding crops.
Funding
Funding will go toward the purchase of eight chillers and 171 controllers for some of the phytotron’s 183 chambers. The new equipment will allow the facility to reach full capacity, enhancing research and plant breeding programs.
The total estimated cost for the project is $12.5 million.
- Western Economic Diversification Canada $4.5 million
- University of Saskatchewan ..................$3 million
- Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.......$2 million
- Saskatchewan Pulse Growers .................$1 million
- Western Grains Research Foundation .......$1 million
- Donations from other sources .................$1 million
- TOTAL ...............................................$12.5 million
