Development of better biologicals as a more sustainable approach to Canadian agriculture

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

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.