October 15, 2009
Research to develop a better petunia
A co-operative effort by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the University of Guelph will study methods to create a new and improved petunia.
The research team includes Dr. Daryl Somers, research director of applied genomics at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, with colleagues Dr. Theo Blom from the University of Guelph and Wayne Brown from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It is a five-year project with the goal to improve the quality and production of the petunia.
“The amount of water that petunias require is a problem that causes difficulties for retailers, and unnecessary losses for growers,” says Dr. Somers. “We will search for value-added traits such as drought tolerance and reduced dormancy to improve the quality and production of ornamental species. This research will also position Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the University of Guelph for continued success in breeding of both ornamental and vegetable species.”
Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO of Vineland, says, “By utilizing research partnerships we are able to apply leading edge science to tailor a solution.”
“The University of Guelph is committed to building a research partnership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre that makes a difference to horticultural businesses across the country. We also expect that the science generated through this agreement will have impact within the international research community,” said Dr. Kevin Hall of the University of Guelph.
The research team includes Dr. Daryl Somers, research director of applied genomics at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, with colleagues Dr. Theo Blom from the University of Guelph and Wayne Brown from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It is a five-year project with the goal to improve the quality and production of the petunia.
“The amount of water that petunias require is a problem that causes difficulties for retailers, and unnecessary losses for growers,” says Dr. Somers. “We will search for value-added traits such as drought tolerance and reduced dormancy to improve the quality and production of ornamental species. This research will also position Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the University of Guelph for continued success in breeding of both ornamental and vegetable species.”
Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO of Vineland, says, “By utilizing research partnerships we are able to apply leading edge science to tailor a solution.”
“The University of Guelph is committed to building a research partnership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre that makes a difference to horticultural businesses across the country. We also expect that the science generated through this agreement will have impact within the international research community,” said Dr. Kevin Hall of the University of Guelph.