Marine plant derivatives to enhance crop plants

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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. Seaweeds have been exploited as producers of biostimulants, and within Canada, Ascophyllum nodosum has been developed into commercial products sold around the world. The proposed work will lead to a broad understanding of the ability of a set of seaweed extracts and formulations to provide biocontrol measures against fungal pathogens of key crop plants of eastern Canada. We will evaluate the effects of selected seaweed extracts and formulations of these for ability to diminish the growth of fungal pathogens, and also for the enhancement of plant growth promotion. Data will be collected on aspects of fungal growth and development under Petri plate conditions and in the presence of specific seaweed extracts and formulations, with a view to identifying those with greatest efficacy. In addition, the materials with greatest antifungal activity (combination of extract and formulation) will be evaluated for plant growth promotion and effects on specific aspects of crop physiology. Acadian Seaplants has conducted preliminary research regarding the seaweed extracts and will provide the most interesting types for the proposed work. The evaluation crop used in this research will be tomato, as it is a high value crop produced extensively in eastern Canada. The work will be conducted through a collaboration between Acadian Seaplants and the Smith laboratory research team at McGill University, in order to elaborate and implement their processes and understandings to date. The work regarding anti-fungal and growth stimulation capability of the seaweed-derived materials will provide 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.