Building applied research capacity to support Manitoba agriculture, innovation, and sustainability

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The research will support Manitoba agriculture innovation and sustainability in the horticulture, potato, pulse, and soybean sectors in the central and southwest region. The research is designed to enhance regional innovation, competitiveness, and productivity through: (1) precise diagnosis of horticulture crop diseases and pests; (2) addressing these with sustainable solutions; and (3) validating the efficacy of new natural and biological products for horticultural end users, and companies that are developing these products. The three research projects and four proposed partnerships will provide producers with critical information on sustainable crop production technologies that will enhance crop production and meet consumer needs. First, it is proposed to establish a new partnership with Vermillion Growers, Manitoba's first large-scale vegetable greenhouse currently under construction, on sustainable crop production technologies and integrated pest management solutions to meet market demand for clean crops. Second, with Minto BioProducts Ltd, the research will identify the most effective fungal strains to promote early seeding vigor and seedling growth in annual field crops grown on adverse soils. Third, with the Manitoba Horticulture Productivity Enhancement Council (MHPEC), research in the potato sector will generate new knowledge, technologies, and products to enhance potato production and industry sustainability. Finally, ACC will collaborate with the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) to conduct research on developing survey protocols for disease and insect pests, soil fertility, and agronomy in support of a new $400M pea protein processing facility, as research is needed to determine how well the pea crop can adapt to the Manitoba environment. A major outcome will be to increase total grain production by utilizing soil credits and minimizing input costs, while protecting resources from environmental degradation. Together, these projects will strengthen ACC's applied research interests, consolidate essential research infrastructure, create new partnerships, and expand current capacity.