Plant and Seed Technologies for Boreal Reclamation and Reforestation

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The NAIT Boreal Research Institute (BRI) project 'Plant and Seed Technologies for Boreal Reclamation and**Reforestation' introduces technologies and systems which, when tested and deployed, will accelerate the**establishment of young forests on industrial sites. Working with 10 industry and small-and-medium-sized**enterprise (SME) partners, BRI will develop seed products, technologies, methods, and equipment for the**broadcasting and establishment of boreal plants and seed (P&S) onto large-scale sites (e.g., in situ and surface**mining), problematic industrial sites (e.g., high saline and oil spill sites), and irregular sites (e.g. buffers,**corridors, log lay-downs, steep slopes). Innovative seed products and broadcasting tools will enable the prompt**covering of industrial sites with native, boreal forbs and shrubs. This ecologically-based approach will prevent**the invasion of weeds and other undesirable species on freshly prepared industrial sites. In turn, P&S**technologies are expected to reduce the need and high costs of chemical herbicides. Building upon BRI's**preliminary laboratory and greenhouse trials of priming and pelleting and the nano-coating of seeds, the project**focuses on field applications through the operational testing of seed products and the development of practical**seed broadcasting tools and equipment. These new and adaptive technologies will provide industry and SMEs**with cost-effective and versatile tools for reliable plant establishment and ecological resiliency. The project**will spur the market adoption of technologies through the training of a projected 460 field practitioners and**supports for the commercialization of P&S technologies. Regional innovations (e.g., Northwest Alberta P&S**consortium and Shrub Seed Orchard) will strengthen the industry-business supply chain, ultimately driving**SME competitiveness and diversification. The research program will train over 426 post-secondary and First**Nations students in field-ready scientific, equipment, research and professional skills to prepare them for**employment throughout Alberta and Canada.