Crop protection against seedling root rot using bacterial biocontrol systems

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Seedling disease complex is the leading cause of root blight and root rot and can lead to the partial or complete loss of the plant stand. While conventional broad spectrum fungicides have been shown to be effective in protecting Canada's number one cash crop, growers are looking for alternative methods of crop protection using bacterial biocontrol systems. Improved seedling establishment is a major driver for western Canadian crops like canola. Thus, finding new and innovative ways to protect this valuable Canadian crop is an immediate priority for canola growers. The proposed Engage project will support preliminary research and develop synergies between industry and scientists at the University of Manitoba to investigate the effect of an established bacterial biocontrol system in the protection of canola seedlings against fungal pathogens. Together, the Belmonte laboratory with Stoller Enterprises will be investigating the mode of action of PA23, a biocontrol bacteria system, using a combination of next generation RNA sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics approaches to uncover the genes and gene regulatory networks responsible for crop protection against soil borne fungal pathogens. Our work is hypothesis driven and will train at least one high qualified part time technician with deep expertise in the development of this technology. The impact of this work has broad agricultural application to crops grown in Canada and around the globe and will drive innovation through discovery based science. Optimization of PA23 formulations and understanding its genetic and molecular mode of action will add value to this product and improve Canada's agricultural economy. This work is both theoretical with translational applications and will lead to the development of novel tools that will likely change our understanding of naturally occurring biological applications to the field in one of Canada's most economically important crops.