Armed with that data, they can move on to part two, the development of molecular probes. These probes would be a valuable tool to the pork industry by speeding up the genetic selection of desirable production qualities. The wheat midge could run short of menu options if researchers at the Winnipeg Research Centre have their way. They're working on a Matching Investment Initiative project to impart midge resistance to wheat. Wheat midge is one of those irritating thorns in the side of Western Canada's wheat industry.
Spring wheat is especially vulnerable to the midge, but some winter wheat shows resistance.
Scientists are hoping to borrow that resistance and incorporate it into adapted spring wheat. The study is in two parts. Obviously, one part will focus on developing and testing resistant lines, and determining the genetic resistance of the wheat. The other part at first glance looks like a favour to the wheat midge, because the researchers are going to develop artificial rearing techniques to build a captive midge population. In fact, this is a necessary step because the insect has boom and bust cycles that cause big population swings.