Development of better biologicals as a more sustainable approach to Canadian agriculture

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Over the next few decades we must increase both agricultural productivity, to deal with growing populationsand fuel supply, and agricultural sustainability. Biological inputs are one way to achieve this. The century-oldsoybean inoculant industry is the model for this: a very inexpensive product is applied on large land areas thatreduces the application of nitrogen fertilizer, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waterway eutrophication andgroundwater contamination. The proposed work will lead to a broad understanding of the ability of a set ofmicrobes to improve fertilizer use efficiency and productivity of key crops in eastern Canada. We will evaluateand the effects of environmental variables (soil pH, temperature, water availability, soil salinity, soil organicmatter levels and soil texture) on the efficacy of a novel inoculant, comprised of a consortium of rhizobacteria(5) and a yeast. The effects of microbial competition will also be investigated and potential new growthpromoting microbes will be sought. Data will be collected on aspects of crop physiology, gene expression andagronomy. Synagri SENC has conducted preliminary research regarding the utility of the microbial consortiumin eastern Canada, and now seek to work with the Smith laboratory research team at McGill University in orderto elaborate and implement their processes and understandings to date. The research proposed will determinethe effectiveness of the microbial consortium in eastern Canada, and will also screen the local microflora fornew plant growth promoting members of the phytomicrobiome, potentially leading to new products forSynagri. The growth stimulation capacity of the current microbial consortium, and any novel growthpromoting strains discovered through this work, will be evaluated on corn and potato, for which Synagri hassubstantial expertise and sales; this will provide Synagri with a better understanding of the applicability of theircurrent product, and with new products and the foundations for even further products, establishing it as a leaderin the rapidly expanding biologicals sector. This will also enhance the sustainability and economics ofCanadian agricultural, giving Canada further leadership in the agricultural application of biologicals.