Prairie cropping systems face several challenges, including high input costs and climate change. Research to address these challenges has focused on above-ground agronomic parameters while completely ignoring the role roots play below ground. The objectives of this review study are to (i) synthesize past root studies carried out in the Canadian Prairies, (ii) provide a context for prairie root research, and (iii) identify gaps for future research. This review reports that root architectural traits of major crops have been assessed under field and greenhouse conditions in soil, artificial media, and a mixture of both soil and media, mostly under natural/well-watered and drought conditions. Several root traits have been compared for major crops grown with respect to moisture levels and nutrient uptake. A dearth of research exists on the complex relationship between root traits, soil microbiome, nutrient uptake, carbon sequestration, and photosynthetic efficiency. No studies were found relating root traits, fertilizer placement, and nitrogen and water use efficiencies, carbon sequestration, soil microbiome dynamics, and common root diseases. This review also reports that more research and funding are needed to exploit the benefits that root research will bring to further sustainability goals and ensure food security in the Canadian Prairies.

The inclusion of pulse crops in Canadian rotations has the potential to improve cropping system efficiencies, reduce the overall amount of applied nitrogen, provide economic opportunities for producers, and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the cropping system. Although primarily grown in western Canada, many pulse species—field pea in particular, are well suited to temperate growing conditions in the Maritime region of Canada. A study was conducted over 2 years at Harrington, Prince Edward Island, and consisted of four field pea varieties including two yellow varieties (AAC Lacombe and CDC Saffron) and two green varieties (CDC Limerick and CDC Raezer) planted at three plant population densities: 75, 100, and 125 plants m⁻². The study also measured the effects of nitrogen fertilizer applied pre-plant (0 kg ha⁻¹ vs. 15 kg ha⁻¹) and applied plant available sulfur (0 kg ha⁻¹ vs. 25 kg ha⁻¹). Overall, yellow pea varieties were higher yielding than green pea varieties, and there was a linear increase in yield with increased seeding rate. There were no significant effects of pre-plant nitrogen fertilizer on yield, although it did slightly increase seed protein. Applied sulfur had a positive effect on yield and a slightly negative effect on thousand seed weight. This experiment provides a recommendation for the optimal seeding rate (100 plants m⁻²) and fertility recommendations to achieve profitable yields growing field pea in the Maritime region of Canada.

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) is a technique commonly used to evaluate the cold hardiness of plant organs that supercool as a means for cold survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different pretest bud storage conditions, cooling rates, and bud excision techniques on dormant sweet cherry flower bud low temperature exotherms (LTEs) measured using DTA. Furthermore, this study compared cold hardiness estimates made using DTA and controlled freezing tests. We determined that buds stored at warmer temperatures (12.5 °C and room temperature) for 2–6 h prior to DTA or transported to the lab in a moist environment underwent biologically relevant changes in their apparent sensitivity to cold, as indicated by LTEs produced at warmer temperatures. The DTA cooling rate also significantly affected LTEs, with faster cooling resulting in the production of LTEs at warmer temperatures. Overall, LTEs were comparable among buds with varying amounts of plant material remaining attached to the bud base. It is important to note that the region directly subtending the primordia was always left intact on the buds being compared. This study demonstrated that overall, DTA and controlled freezing tests resulted in comparable measures of cold hardiness. The findings presented in this study are pertinent to researchers interested in conducting cold hardiness measurements in sweet cherry and highlight that consistency in DTA pretest conditions and bud preparation are required to achieve reliable LTE results that can be compared among studies.

Hybrids between Corylus avellana and Corylus americana are one of several new perennial and winter annual crops being developed as part of the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota. As a woody perennial shrub, hazelnuts in agroforestry systems can provide a new revenue source for rural landowners; continuous living cover to prevent soil erosion, sequester soil carbon, protect water quality, and provide wildlife habitat; and a delicious and healthful new local food. If hazelnuts are to fulfill their potential, better germplasm and better nitrogen fertilization recommendations are both needed. We modeled these trials after trials by R.E. Worley, who showed that yields of pecan trees fertilized only when leaf nitrogen (N) fell below critical thresholds were maintained with lower levels of applied N, benefitting both the environment and growers’ profits. Results of trials at three Minnesota sites, comparing N applied only when leaf N fell below 1.8%, 2.0%, or 2.2% with annual N applications and no N over 4 years, support using 2.2% leaf N as the critical threshold for N fertilization. Our results showed that whereas only 8% of N applied annually ended up in the harvested nuts and husks, N that was applied to plants that demonstrated hunger for it was more efficiently taken up. Our results suggest a need for more productive germplasm and further research to develop best management practices for N fertilization.

The soybean industry in Canada is seeking opportunities to expand cultivation due to economic and environmental benefits of growing soybean. Climate projections indicate that soybean expansion into Saskatchewan would be possible with the increases in the available crop heat units under a future warmer climate; however, crop water availability could limit yields. Using a crop growth model, we simulated soybean yields within the Canadian Regional Agricultural Model regions in Saskatchewan for the near-term (2030s), mid-term (2050s), and distant future (2070s) periods under different climate scenarios. Soybean yields were simulated without water stress (potential yield), with water stress (rainfed yield), and under full and partial irrigation scenarios. Irrigation water needs were estimated under the irrigation scenarios and irrigation water availability was discussed. Our results suggest that reasonable and likely more profitable yields (∼2000–2500 kg ha⁻¹) can be achieved under rainfed conditions in the Black soil zone neighbouring Manitoba but soybean production would be less favourable in the Dark Brown soil zone and least favourable in the Brown soil zone. Northeastern regions in the Black soil zone were found to be suitable for growing soybean cultivars in the maturity group (MG) 0 in the distant future and MG 00 in the mid-term under the medium–high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Soybean would still not be suitable in the northwestern region. Our results indicate that regions in central Saskatchewan requiring 120–170 mm of irrigation are more likely to benefit from the proposed Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Projects in the future.

Two experiments were conducted in a naturally lit research greenhouse to validate our modified strategy for delivering nutrients to sub-irrigated chrysanthemum plants. A split-plot design was used with four blocks arranged randomly, three nutrient rates as the main plot, and two contrasting cultivars as the subplot. The entire nutrient supply was removed at bud break and markedly reduced during vegetative growth, compared to common commercial fertilizer formulations, without adversely affecting tissue nutrient levels and plant/inflorescence quality, indicating that the plants were functioning in the low nutrient sufficiency zone. Specific nutrients (N_t) were more likely to exhibit improved uptake efficiency (shoot N_t content/N_t supply) than improved utilization efficiency (inflorescence DM/shoot N_t content) with decreasing nutrient supply. Thus, the common practice of delivering superfluous nutrient levels to greenhouse-grown chrysanthemum has little scientific merit in terms of nutrient accumulation and plant longevity. Applying a low‐input nutrient delivery strategy to the cultivation of indoor-grown, potted ornamental plants would improve the overall sustainability of the Canadian floricultural industry.

Low-temperature flooding and ice encasement (LTFIE) cause variable survival of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Ontario, which limits the adoption of wheat into crop rotations by growers. The development of novel cultivars capable of withstanding LTFIE is a promising avenue for improvement, but the methods used to assess the survival of winter wheat under LTFIE are restricted. This study developed updated methods to determine the survival of wheat cultivars under LTFIE using controlled environments and, to our knowledge, is the first method since the 1980s to use Canadian eastern soft red winter wheat (CESRW) to conduct cold tolerance studies. Chamber-acclimated plants of AC Carberry (spring wheat control), Branson (CESRW), CM614 (CESRW), and Norstar (hardy Canadian western red winter control) cultivars were used to estimate the days (LD₅₀) and temperature (LT₅₀) to reach 50% mortality under ice and without ice treatments. Norstar had the longest LD₅₀ at 33 days, Branson and CM614 had similar LD₅₀ of 18 and 20 days, and AC Carberry did not reach an LD₅₀ as it died early in both treatments. The LT₅₀ of each cultivar was different; Norstar had the lowest LT₅₀ (−13.6 °C day 0 and −13.2 °C day 7), and AC Carberry had the highest LT₅₀ (−6.6 °C day 0 and −2.7 °C day 7). The detailed methods developed in this study were more reliable compared to older methods based on the more accurate reported LD₅₀ and LT₅₀ of the cultivars, therefore, these methods can be used to screen winter cereals for LTFIE in the future.

A semi-hydroponic system was developed to assess canola (Brassica napus L.) root architectural traits. Four cultivars were grown under controlled conditions in germination paper rolls immersed in half-strength Hoagland’s solution. Eight parameters, including total root length, total root surface area, average root diameter, tip number, total primary root length, total lateral root length, total tertiary root length, and basal link length, were analyzed using the WinRHIZO software after 7, 14, and 21 days. The results suggested that 14 days in the semi-hydroponic system were optimal for accurate root trait assessment, as clear differences were observed while maintaining ease of handling and scanning.

CDC Esme, a high-yielding, late-maturing oilseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivar, was registered in 2023 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. CDC Esme had a superior yield (106%) compared to the check variety, CDC Glas, in all soil zones of the Northern Prairies. The yield of CDC Esme was 106%, 105%, and 105% of CDC Glas, in the long-season Black, Brown, and short-season Black and Grey soil zones of Western Canada, respectively. CDC Esme has larger seeds (thousand seed weight) than that of check cultivar, CDC Glas, with improved quality based on the iodine value of 192 and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content of 57.1%. This cultivar is immune to the North American rust (race 371) caused by Melampsora lini and moderately resistant to wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini.

CDC Kernen, a late maturing oilseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), was registered in 2021 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This cultivar had a significant yield advantage (107%) compared to CDC Glas (the yield check) in all soil zones of the Northern Prairies. The yield of CDC Kernen was 115%, 98%, and 105% of CDC Glas in the Black, Brown, and Black and Grey soil zones of Western Canada, respectively. This cultivar has medium (45.1%) oil content, oil quality (iodine value (IV) 192; alpha linolenic acid content 57.1%), equivalent to CDC Glas (the seed quality standard) coupled with larger seed size (thousand seed weight 6.1 g) than CDC Glas. It is immune to North American rust (race 371) caused by Melampsora lini and moderately resistant to wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini and powdery mildew caused by Oidium lini.