Student Information

The Department of Plant Sciences, including the Crop Development Centre, accepts Canadian and International students, offering research-based MSc and PhD programs in a wide array of disciplines.  Prior to proceeding with a formal application, potential students should informally contact potential supervisors from within their area of research interest to determine availability of positions and interest. Include a scanned copy of post-graduate transcripts, evidence of proficiency in English, and a brief description of the area of research intent. Following the receipt of confirmed interest from a supervisor willing to commit to providing a research project and stipend funding, a formal application should then be submitted online at https://grad.usask.ca/admissions/how-to-apply.php#Beforeyouapply.

Please note that the supervisor’s commitment will be effective only if the student’s application for admission is accepted by the Department Graduate Student Committee and the College of Graduate Studies and Research.  International students need to allow a minimum of three months, and Canadian students two months, for processing of the completed application and confirmation of acceptance from the College of Graduate Studies and Research, prior to the intended term start date, being January, May and September of each year.

The Pulse Research Group is interested in breeding and genetics, pathology, physiology, molecular biology and tissue culture of various legume species. You can see a list of some of our projects here. In addition to the previously listed projects, the Pulse Research group is part of the Crop Development Center and as such has it's own breeding program for Chickpea, Dry Bean, Faba Bean, Field Pea and Lentil.

• Albert (Bert) Vandenberg, Emeritus Breeder: Breeding lentil varieties and conducting related research in collaboration with colleagues.
• Sabine Banniza: My research is focused on the area of pulse crop pathology with particular emphasis on problems in Saskatchewan. The overarching theme of my research program is to study the biology of fungal and bacterial pathogens and their interaction with host plants. The ultimate goal of my research is to gain a better understanding of strategies employed by these pathogens to successfully invade and colonize pulse crops, and to exploit this knowledge for the purpose of developing successful breeding and disease management strategies.
• Kirstin E. Bett: Breeding lentil and dry (common) bean varieties and conducting related research in collaboration with colleagues.
• Bunyamin Tar'an: Breeding chickpea and flax varieties and conducting related research in collaboration with colleagues.
• Tom D. Warkentin: Breeding field pea varieties and conducting related research in collaboration with colleagues in areas including disease resistance, abiotic stress resistance, and nutritional quality.
• Ana Vargas: Lead lentil and faba bean breeding program at the Crop Development Centre in USask's College of Agriculture and Bioresources.