Development of novel crop protection technologies using Canadian microbes

由真菌病原体核盘菌（Sclerotinia sclerotiorum）引起的核盘菌茎腐病是加拿大油菜种植者作物损失的主要原因。种植者使用常规广谱杀真菌剂控制核盘菌的难度越来越大。因此，种植者正在寻找使用细菌生物控制系统的作物保护的替代方法。在整个生长季节中，改善幼苗的建立和对真菌疾病的保护是改善油菜等作物性能的主要驱动力。因此，寻找新的和创新的方法来保护这一宝贵的加拿大作物是油菜种植者的当务之急。拟议的CRD项目将支持合作研究，并在马尼托巴大学的工业和科学家之间发展协同作用，以调查已建立的细菌生物控制系统在保护油菜免受真菌病原体侵害方面的作用。贝尔蒙特、de Kievit和Fernando实验室以及加拿大Stoller企业将共同致力于PA 23的商业开发，PA 23是一种基于生物控制细菌的系统。通过配方改进、下一代测序和全面的生物信息学方法的结合，我们将揭示负责作物保护和农田细菌定殖的基因和基因调控网络，并揭示PA23和Stoller产品之间的协同作用。我们的工作是由创新驱动的，将培养至少一个高素质的博士，一个硕士，和三个本科研究生，除了一个全职的技术人员与专业知识在theprocontrol技术的应用。这项工作的影响将通过广泛的农业应用于加拿大和地球仪种植的作物来实现，并将通过基于科学的发现来推动创新。优化PA 23配方并了解其遗传和分子作用模式将增加该产品的价值并改善加拿大的农业经济。我们将开发安全、环保、具有广泛应用潜力的新一代生物杀菌剂，以提高产量和底线。

Sclerotinia stem rot caused by the fungal pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is the leading cause of crop lossfor Canadian canola growers. Growers are having increasing difficulties controlling Sclerotinia usingconventional broad spectrum fungicides. Thus, growers are looking for alternative methods of crop protectionusing bacterial biocontrol systems. Improved seedling establishment and protection against fungal disease overthe growing season is a major driver for improved crop performance in crops like canola. Thus, finding newand innovative ways to protect this valuable Canadian crop is an immediate priority for canola growers. Theproposed CRD project will support collaborative research and develop synergies between industry andscientists at the University of Manitoba to investigate the effect of an established bacterial biocontrol system inthe protection of canola against fungal pathogens. Together, the Belmonte, de Kievit and Fernando laboratoriesand Stoller Enterprises Canada will work towards the commercial development of PA23, a biocontrolbacterial-based system. Through a combination of formulation enhancement, next generation sequencing andcomprehensive bioinformatics approaches we will uncover the genes and gene regulatory networks responsiblefor crop protection and bacterial colonization of agricultural land, and reveal synergies between PA23 andStoller products. Our work is driven by innovation and will train at least one highly qualified doctoral, oneMasters, and three undergraduate research students, in addition to a full time technician with expertise in theapplication of biocontrol technologies. The impact of this work will be realized by broad agriculturalapplication to crops grown in Canada and around the globe and will drive innovation through discovery basedscience. Optimization of PA23 formulations and understanding its genetic and molecular mode of action willadd value to this product and improve Canada's agricultural economy. We will develop a new generation ofbiological fungicides that are safe, environmentally friendly, with potential for broad application to improveyield and the bottom line.