The long list of lentil varieties that Bert Vandenberg has helped develop over the years accounts for more than 30 percent of the global supply of the crop.
The University of Saskatchewan plant breeder will now have more money at his disposal for further research and development.
Vandenberg recently received $3.8 million from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
to continue his breeding program.
He will use the funding to develop a better understanding of lentil genetics, which should lead to more resilient varieties with better nutritional profiles.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
“It took the Canadian industry 15 to 20 years to get into first place globally with lentils,” Vandenberg said. “This funding and research program will help guarantee that Saskatchewan pulse producers will stay on top.”
Part of the money will pay the salaries of 15 graduate students who will help Vandenberg conduct his research over the next five years.
The students will gain a better understanding of lentil genetics and use that knowledge to create varieties with improved disease resistance and enhanced nutritional value.
“We need to understand the genetics to the point where we can actually give customers what they actually want,” Vandenberg said.
The research could result in designer lentils tailored to meet the needs of individual markets, such as varieties that better address iron and zinc deficiencies in some countries.
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers executive director Garth Patterson said the work has nothing to do with creating a genetically modified lentil.
“GMO is not in the sights here. These are all nonGMO traits Bert is looking at incorporating into the breeding program.”
He also said Vandenberg’s appointment to an NSERC Industrial Research Chair position is a feather in the cap for the U of S.
“These are very prestigious positions,” Patterson said.
The funding is one of the largest single investments made in lentil research. Half is from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and half from NSERC.
“The good thing about NSERC is it’s not political money,” Vandenberg said. “It is strictly science money, so it is worth more at the university.”
