British Columbia produces more than 90% of Canada’s cherries.
In 2024, the country exported more than $12 million worth of cherries, but extreme weather events can impact production levels.
Genome British Columbia is funding research collaborations aimed at protecting the future of our food.
By applying genomic data to the early stages of carrot and cherry breeding, researchers will help BC growers to adapt and stay competitive in a rapidly changing environmental and economic climate, according to a statement from the organization.
“Pairing genomic tools with grower and sector insights cuts years off the timeline to climate-ready crops,” suggests Dr. Federica Di Palma, Genome BC’s Chief Scientific Officer.
“These projects will strengthen local food security and ensure a more resilient economy for British Columbia,” Di Palma said.
A collaboration between Dr. Letitia Da Ros, a genomics research scientist from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Erin Wallich, an Intellectual Property Manager from Summerland Varieties will utilize genomics to shorten the 30-year timeframe of traditional methods of cultivation.
The team at AAFC will validate new genomic technologies that can induce early flowering, which may lead to greater access to new varieties that can adapt to changing climates.
“We are hoping for new varieties bred to handle regional stress, even during temperature extremes,” says Dr. Da Ros, “while also working toward staggered fruit production to ensure cherries are available throughout the growing season.”
Dozens of cherry varieties grown worldwide “are Canadian Intellectual Property, generating millions of dollars in royalties each year,” notes Wallich.
It is important that these “revenues are reinvested into new technologies, variety development, and commercialization efforts that help to maintain BC’s competitive edge globally.”
A second project aims to increase seed diversity and provide BC carrot growers with varieties that are suitable for BC’s organic growing conditions and climate.
The project, led by Professor Loren Rieseberg from the University of British Columbia and Aabir Dey from SeedChange, a charitable nonprofit that supports farmers and seed research projects worldwide, will identify genetic markers in wild and traditional varieties of carrots that are associated with the adaptation to various stresses, including water shortages, heat, and low-nutrient soils.
“We’re making the most of the inherent knowledge that local farmers have and want them to lead in variety development,” Dey says. “They know what works best on their farms and the flavour and appearance traits that contribute to marketability.”
Ultimately, the team wants to provide better seed choices to growers based on location.
“Most vegetable seeds used in Canada are bred internationally,” explains Professor Rieseberg. “This is an opportunity to increase our local breeding capacity, give BC a competitive edge, and reduce our reliance on international suppliers.”
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