Current Research at the Ontario Crops Research Centre

The following is a list of current projects at the Ontario Crops Research Centre – Woodstock. Note that some projects may remain unlisted if they are protected intellectual property.

If you have any questions about ongoing research at the research station please email researchstation.info@uoguelph.ca [1].

Update regarding COVID-19

The Alliance is committed to ensuring the health and safety of staff, animals, researchers and the community. We are following guidance set out by the University of Guelph’s Office of Research with respect to biosecurity [2] and research activities during COVID-19. Please keep in mind the status of projects may change as the response to this pandemic evolves.

Current research studies

Click to see a summary of each project.

Determination of the efficacy of new herbicides and new herbicide combinations for development of integrated weed management programs

Research summary
Objective	To determine and evaluate the efficacy of newly available herbicides, alone or in combination with currently registered products, and evaluate their efficacy when incorporated with other weed management techniques.
Benefit to Agri-food	Conducting unbiased and individual evaluations of new products and techniques allows growers to respond effectively to newly emerging weed challenges (such as changing weed populations and herbicide resistance), maximize crop production and be more judicious with herbicide use.

Breeding of high yielding, disease resistant & value-added soybean using elite and exotic germplasm

Research summary
Objective	To develop outstanding non-genetically-modified (GM) food-grade soybean varieties for Canadian farmers by: enhancing yield of non-genetically-modified (non-GM) food grade soybeans grown in Ontario; enhancing value and market opportunities for soybeans in value-added markets; improving genetic resistance to soybean cyst nematode; and improving resistance to white mould in soybeans using genomic approaches.
Benefit to Agri-food	To date, 10 new soybean cultivars have been registered and commercialized and their seed is being multiplied in 2020. In addition, more than 60 crosses have been made to incorporate soybean cyst nematode resistance into the breeding program.

Breeding for sustainable and profitable bean production in Ontario

Research summary
Objective	To breed different bean varieties for Ontario growers with the following characteristics: improved yield and enhanced disease resistance; greater drought tolerance; improved nitrogen-fixing capacity; greater resistance to herbicides; superior cooking quality; and unique quality traits that increase their return to the grower, increase market utility and enhance their direct benefits to the consumer.
Benefit to Agri-food	This research aims to improve the quality of Ontario dry beans crops, contribute to increasing the usefulness of dry beans in new markets and ultimately contribute to a healthy diet for Canadians.