Grant: Canada Research Chairs

The overall objective of the CRC Berry Horticulture is to enhance climate resilience of berry horticultural systems. Climate change threatens an estimated 20 % of the world’s plant diversity and will present new challenges in the cultivation, harvest and management of horticultural and wild crop species. The genus Vaccinium encompasses commercially, medicinally and culturally important commercial and wild berries including cranberry, blueberry and huckleberry. Canada is the second largest producer of cranberries globally with >6,500 cultivated acres with an annual revenue >$49 million, while blueberries are produced by >600 growers generating >$7 billion. Wild relatives of these berries are culturally important staple foods for Indigenous and remote communities. In the last 2 years, these crops have experienced wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events. Despite being high-value crops whose nutritional and health benefits have been rigorously researched, relatively little is known about environmental adaptations of berry species, a critical knowledge gap when predicting climate change resilience. Breeding programs for cranberry have improved berry yield, colour, size and fruit rot resistance, but to date no comprehensive studies exist to understand how varietals will perform under future climate scenarios. My research program will use wild and cultivated Vaccinium species as a model to investigate three themes: Adaptation, Innovation & Diversification. Interdisciplinary approaches including micropropagation, phytohormone signaling, metabolomics and controlled environment and field-based studies will address specific objectives: (1) Determination of climate resilience in Vaccinium species, (2) Characterization of indoleamine-based mechanisms of resilience, and (3) Diversification of sustainable economic opportunities for berry production. This research will enable us to answer questions like Which species or varieties are mostly likely to perform well under climate change? Which are likely to suffer? Why? and Is there a way we can mitigate these effects? The knowledge generated by these studies will improve our current understanding of plant signaling dynamics in response to changing climates and enhance understanding and sustainability of berry horticultural practices. Long term objectives will identify priority species for conservation, inform future agricultural and breeding programs, and enhance food security.