Sean R. Asselin, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Dr. Sean Asselin is a perennial forage breeder with AAFC Swift Current. His program is focused on breeding adapted native forages and dual-use grain & forage crops using both classical and molecular biology based breeding approaches to enhance agroecosystem resiliency.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Swift Current, Saskatchewan

Current research and/or projects

Development of native plant germplasm and cultivars (grasses, legumes and forbs) adapted to Western Canada for forage and reclamation uses
Characterization of the adaptive capacity of native and introduced forage legumes and grasses to abiotic stress (drought and salinity)
Landscape genomics of grassland species
Development of high-throughput plant phenotyping methodology
Dual-use perennial grain-forage crop development for low-input production systems

Professional activities / interests

Plant breeding - perennial forages
Native plant genomics
Landscape genomics
Quantitative genetics and genotype x environment interactions
Dual-use perennial grain-forage crop development

Education and awards

Ph.D. Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Manitoba
M.Sc. Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Manitoiba
B.Sc. Biology, University of Winnipeg
B.A.(Hons) Physical Anthropology, University of Winnipeg

Key publications

S.R. Asselin, S.M. Quilichini, B. Biligetu and D.J. Cattani. (2024). Evaluation of Salinity Tolerance in Global Accessions of Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey) Germplasm. 31st Annual Plant and Animal Genome Conference, San Diego, CA., USA. January 11th-17th, 2024.
2024 - View publication details
Bertrand, A., Claessens, A., Baron, V., Thériault, M., Rocher, S., Asselin. S. 2023. Evaluation of alfalfa populations selected for reduced fall dormancy in a frequent cutting trial. 35th EUCARPIA FCAG Section Conference, September 10-14 2023, Brno, Czech Republic.
2023 - View publication details
Asselin., S.R., Breeding native plants for forage and reclamation: challenges and prospects. The 13th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Feb. 21st-23rd 2023.
2023 - View publication details