• Lentils
• Peas
• University of Saskatchewan

Objective

To accelerate pulse crop breeding through the application of rapid generation technology (RGT) in the Crop Development Centre (CDC) pulse breeding program.

Outcome

This study showed that rapid generation technology (RGT) doubles the number of generations per year, and has fewer environmental fluctuations and fewer disease or insect problems as compared to conventional breeding. CDC pulse breeders are currently using rapid generation technology in recombinant inbred lines for genetic analysis, screening, and selection of field pea and lentil populations. RGT can hasten genetic improvement to introduce new cultivars as well as promote competitiveness and profitability among breeding programs.