Advanced environmentally-controlled experimentation to evaluate plant stressors and growth success

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UNBC currently has four growth chambers with components that are obsolete and/or non-functional. The chambers are composed of three different model types, and given these inconsistencies, it is impossible to run a larger-scale experiment without significant variability between growth environments. Therefore, we propose to purchase three new growth chambers to replace the existing units.***We require new growth chambers in order to effectively and accurately conduct environmentally-controlled experimentation. We have a need for increased temperature variation, more comprehensive and energy efficient lighting, and effective, working humidity controls. These chambers would contain technologically-advanced lighting and temperature control, and effective relative humidity control compared to the very old models currently at UNBC. More current, up to date systems now use more technologically-advanced lights, which are much more energy efficient, substantially increase the flexibility of lighting treatment, and produce less heat, thereby eliminating the need for cooling jackets around the lighting fixtures. Furthermore, there are significant upgrades to technology available for temperature regulation within the chambers, allowing experimentation at a greater temperature range. Lastly, growth chambers produced today use more advanced humidification, such as an ultrasonic humidifier. ***The NSERC-funded research that will be supported by the proposed equipment acquisition includes: 1. Investigating how temperature and light variation may influence plant rate of response to glyphosate herbicide-induced stress and also plant nutrition, given that glyphosate is a known chelator (CRD and Discovery - Wood). 2. Experimentation with CO2-injected hydroponic systems to elucidate impacts on plant growth (Engage - Wood). 3. Experimentation with epiphytic lichen, Lobaria pulmonaria, growing in drier' environments with the provision of exogenous sugar (Discovery - Fredeen). 4. The development of a zeolite-based adsorbent to uptake PO43- and NH4 from contaminated water to use as a slow-release fertilizer for plant growth in varying conditions (Engage - Kazemian). ***Additional Research that will be supported through this grant includes investigation of the response of wet temperate canopy lichen to environmental stresses such as temperature change (Coxson), and to assess the growth of medicinal mushrooms on woody debris in different humidities (Massicotte).***These projects address critical needs. It is imperative that we better understand the response of plants in Canada to climate change stress and human pressures in the natural environment. Plants possess species and population-level specificity in stress tolerance and acclimation capabilities. More research is required to understand how plants cope with changes to temperature, humidity, and light conditions to mitigate plant mortality or changes to reproductive capacity and conserve valuable resources.