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Canola Product Development

The mission of the Pioneer Canola Research program is to be the leader in the development of competitive, differentiated canola seed products for all relevant world markets. Conventional genetic techniques, supplemented with biotechnology, are utilized in achieving this mission.

Canola research goals are aimed at meeting a growing demand for canola worldwide.

The goals of the Pioneer Canola Research team are to:

  • Improve harvestable yield.
  • Reduce crop losses, grower input costs and risk through genetic engineering and traditional breeding of herbicide, insect and disease resistance.
  • Create more value and new uses for canola by improving the quality of the grain produced.

Leading-edge technology is applied in all phases of product development. Researchers are focused on increasing yield and oil content; integrating herbicide tolerance; improving pest resistance and standability; and delivering products with the range of maturities needed in key canola markets worldwide.

Researchers work to:

  • Develop hybrid canola products that are cost effective to produce.
  • Develop canola products for a full range of market needs.
  • Incorporate and use leading-edge technologies in product development.
  • Increase the number of experimental varieties and hybrids evaluated per year.
  • Incorporate herbicide, disease and pest resistance into high-yielding varieties and hybrids to protect yield.
  • Increase winter nursery use to quickly meet market needs and to speed overall product development cycles.
  • Vigorously protect intellectual property.

Highlights of Pioneer Canola Research:

Hybrid Development - Pioneer continues to put tremendous effort into the development of canola hybrids. The goal is to develop high-performing canola hybrids that improve customer profitability.

Wide-Area Testing - Each year, to measure performance of experimental products in many different environments, Pioneer canola researchers plant more than 70,000 yield test plots in five countries. Thousands of new crosses are made each year to assure a steady flow of elite products with a package of traits that fit customer needs.

Herbicide Resistance - Pioneer canola researchers are developing varieties with resistance to herbicides that give customers more cost-effective and efficacious options for weed control.

Disease Resistance - Laboratory and field researchers work together to improve canola's resistance to disease pressures such as blackleg, Sclerotinia and white rust. Pioneer field pathologists and molecular biology specialists are making important progress in these areas.

Specialty Canola - Pioneer researchers are leading the way in developing canola seed suitable for the specialty and identity-preserved markets. Seed products have been developed with lower levels of saturated and polyunsaturated fats, and higher levels of monounsaturated fat. Researchers are also developing Brassica juncea varieties and hybrids, which are adapted to hotter and dryer environments than canola.

Canola Research Locations by Region
Asia/Pacific Rim 2
Europe 2
North America 4
South America 1
Total 9