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 populations**and fuel supply, and agricultural sustainability. Biological inputs are one way to achieve this. The century-old**soybean inoculant industry is the model for this: a very inexpensive product is applied on large land areas that**reduces the application of nitrogen fertilizer, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waterway eutrophication and**groundwater contamination. The proposed work will lead to a broad understanding of the ability of a set of**microbes to improve fertilizer use efficiency and productivity of key crops in eastern Canada. We will evaluate**and the effects of environmental variables (soil pH, temperature, water availability, soil salinity, soil organic**matter 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 growth**promoting microbes will be sought. Data will be collected on aspects of crop physiology, gene expression and**agronomy. Synagri SENC has conducted preliminary research regarding the utility of the microbial consortium**in eastern Canada, and now seek to work with the Smith laboratory research team at McGill University in order**to elaborate and implement their processes and understandings to date. The research proposed will determine**the effectiveness of the microbial consortium in eastern Canada, and will also screen the local microflora for**new plant growth promoting members of the phytomicrobiome, potentially leading to new products for**Synagri. The growth stimulation capacity of the current microbial consortium, and any novel growth**promoting strains discovered through this work, will be evaluated on corn and potato, for which Synagri has**substantial expertise and sales; this will provide Synagri with a better understanding of the applicability of their**current product, and with new products and the foundations for even further products, establishing it as a leader**in the rapidly expanding biologicals sector. This will also enhance the sustainability and economics of**Canadian agricultural, giving Canada further leadership in the agricultural application of biologicals.******