Canola and cucumber responses to activeflower

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Agricultural crop plants require a wide range of intensive agricultural inputs, which include fertilizerapplications, irrigation, pesticides, growth regulators and other synthetic and organic products. Nutrientsrequired for plant growth are formulated as fertilizers for ease of application and stability. In many cases, acombination of macronutrients and micronutrients are required to provide optimal plant growth. The mainmacronutrients required by plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Micronutrients includecopper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) (9). Studies have shownthat crop yield increases of 30 to 50% are attributed to use of natural or synthetic commercial fertilizers.Mineral nutrition can affect plant growth and disease development by increasing formation of mechanicalbarriers, eg. development of thicker cell walls, or synthesis of natural defense compounds, i.e. phytoalexins,antioxidants, and flavonoids. In the previous NSERC Engage project, we demonstrated that applications ofPollinAID, containing a combination of N, P, K, and B, reduced pathogen growth and damage to the plantthrough either direct toxicity to the pathogen or by promoting induced resistance. Levels of phenolics wereincreased and B levels in tissues significantly increased. To further investigate the role of PollinAID (nowActive Flower), we propose to assess the effects of each of the individual nutrient components on plant growthand disease development on cucumber and canola plants. In addition, the levels of antioxidants and variousenzymes, including polyphenoloxidase, catalase, peroxidase, that are known to have a role in disease reductionin other plant species, will be assessed. The results will provide additional insight into the mechanisms of howthis fertilizer product affects plant growth and should further our knowledge on fungal-plant interactions andprovide novel information. Global market estimates for fertilizer sales are projected to exceed US $185 billionin 2017. Hence, a better understanding of how these chemicals may indirectly influence crop health can provideadditional opportunities for optimal use of fertilizers for crop production and crop protection.