Advanced analytical plant, soil, and water testing equipment for enhanced capacity in Nova Scotia's soil amendment and bio-stimulant sector

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In recent years, there has been a movement by producers to reduce agricultural inorganic fertilizers inputs due to the associated environmental issues and costly expenses. As a result, the agricultural industry is looking into ways to be more environmentally friendly, while reducing costs, without sacrificing yields. This need has driven companies to develop soil amendments and biostimulants that are environmentally friendly, require little input, and can enhance crop growth. In order to help expand and grow this industry, research and development is needed to test and advance current and new products in order to provide scientific evidence that these soil and crop additives are environmentally and economically beneficial. Research and development will help build a database of knowledge and determine how each soil amendment and biostimulant influences plant, soil, and water properties in order to perfect the additive for each specific soil and/or crops needs. Since 2017, Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) is home to the Environment and Agriculture Technology Laboratory (EATLab) which has focused on engaging with companies to help them develop and advance their biostimulants and soil amendments. As a result, the NSCC-EATLab is requesting three pieces of equipment that will help engage with these industries in research and development to determine how these additives impact water (nutrient availability and contaminants levels), soil (nutrient availability, contaminants levels, water holding potential, etc), and crops (fruit quality, chemicals, etc). Key determinations needed in order to market products to farmers and producers. The requested equipment will not only help current soil amendment and biostimulant companies, but will also allow the EATLab to explore new applications and stimulate new business opportunities throughout Nova Scotia and Canada. .****