Cereal Research Centre

Its research led to the development of over two hundred varieties of plant species resistant to pests and blights and producing high yields suitable for cultivation in the Canadian Prairies.

In the late 1910s and early 1920s, Canada experienced several outbreaks of stem rust Puccinia graminis, particularly on wheat, the nation's staple agricultural product.

[7] Among the research activities performed at the centre were studies on breeding of oat and wheat, quality improvements on cereal grain stocks, and disease and pest resistance.

[8] Its scope consisted of cereal development including the identification of genes having economic value, registration of varieties, and prediction and mitigation of pests during storage and processing.

[9] The centre developed novel methods for pest control, such as using pea proteins to deter insect infestations in stored grains, and identification of genetic markers, such as that for fusarium ear blight.