CONCLUSIONS

       Significant improvements in the agronomic traits of earlier maturity and increased yield have occurred in spring wheat cultivars developed in Canada. At the same time, no significant loss in genetic variation has occurred in spring wheat cultivars developed in Canada; the Canadian wheat gene pool has not been narrowed. Genetic selection for improved agronomic performance has not resulted in genetic erosion of spring wheat cultivars developed in Canada over the past 160 years. Canadian spring wheat breeding is not increasing the risk to sustainable crop production by reducing genetic diversity.