Development of novel crop protection technologies using Canadian microbes

由真菌病原菌菌核病菌引起的油菜菌核病是加拿大油菜种植者农作物损失的主要原因。种植者使用传统广谱杀菌剂防治菌核病的难度越来越大。因此，种植者正在寻找使用细菌生物防治系统来保护作物的替代方法。在**生长季节，改善幼苗的建立和对真菌疾病的保护是油菜籽等作物作物表现改善的主要驱动力。因此，寻找新的和创新的方法来保护这种宝贵的加拿大作物是油菜籽种植者的当务之急。**拟议的CRD项目将支持合作研究，并在工业界和马尼托巴大学的**科学家之间发展协同效应，以调查**已建立的细菌生物控制系统在**保护油菜籽免受真菌病原体侵袭方面的效果。贝尔蒙特、德基维特和费尔南多实验室**以及加拿大斯托勒企业公司将共同致力于PA23的商业开发，这是一种基于细菌的生物控制系统。通过配方改进、下一代测序和**综合生物信息学方法的组合，我们将发现负责**作物保护和农业用地细菌定植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。我们的工作以创新为动力，将培养至少一名高素质的博士、一名**硕士和三名本科生，以及一名具有生物控制技术应用**专业知识的全职技术人员。这项工作的影响将通过广泛的农业应用在加拿大和全球种植的作物上实现，并将通过基于发现的**科学来推动创新。PA23配方的优化和对其遗传和分子作用模式的了解将**增加这种产品的价值，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 loss**for Canadian canola growers. Growers are having increasing difficulties controlling Sclerotinia using**conventional broad spectrum fungicides. Thus, growers are looking for alternative methods of crop protection**using bacterial biocontrol systems. Improved seedling establishment and protection against fungal disease over**the growing season is a major driver for improved crop performance in crops like canola. Thus, finding new**and innovative ways to protect this valuable Canadian crop is an immediate priority for canola growers. The**proposed CRD project will support collaborative research and develop synergies between industry and**scientists at the University of Manitoba to investigate the effect of an established bacterial biocontrol system in**the protection of canola against fungal pathogens. Together, the Belmonte, de Kievit and Fernando laboratories**and Stoller Enterprises Canada will work towards the commercial development of PA23, a biocontrol**bacterial-based system. Through a combination of formulation enhancement, next generation sequencing and**comprehensive bioinformatics approaches we will uncover the genes and gene regulatory networks responsible**for crop protection and bacterial colonization of agricultural land, and reveal synergies between PA23 and**Stoller products. Our work is driven by innovation and will train at least one highly qualified doctoral, one**Masters, and three undergraduate research students, in addition to a full time technician with expertise in the**application of biocontrol technologies. The impact of this work will be realized by broad agricultural**application to crops grown in Canada and around the globe and will drive innovation through discovery based**science. Optimization of PA23 formulations and understanding its genetic and molecular mode of action will**add value to this product and improve Canada's agricultural economy. We will develop a new generation of**biological fungicides that are safe, environmentally friendly, with potential for broad application to improve**yield and the bottom line.