Analysis of cytokinin composition of raw materials and seaweed extract for the increased scope of product value

作物生产中的天然生长促进剂在现代农业领域，特别是在有机植物生产领域中受到了极大的关注。海藻及其提取物多年来一直用于农业，以改善植物生长和抗逆性(Craigie，2011)。尽管海藻对植物表现的独特的、积极的影响已经被广泛报道，但其活性化合物的确切作用模式仍然知之甚少。生物接种剂的有效天然成分包括植物激素，并以细胞分裂素(Cks)为特征。细胞分裂素是促进植物生长和发育的关键因素，因为它们上调植物所有部分的细胞分裂(Sakakibara，2006)。先前的研究表明，在市场上提供的海藻原料及其衍生产品中存在特定类型的海藻毒素(Stirk等人，2003年)。然而，早期的工作着眼于节柄蘑菇中CK的狭窄范围，表明可检测到的水平可能不足以促进接受提取物喷雾的植物的生长(Wally等人，2013年)。该项目的目的是采用新技术来扩大分析的CKs的范围，包括以前没有在海藻中分析过的形式。这一扩大的分析将适用于更广泛的海藻原料、商业海藻生物肥料和通过Acadian Seaants Limited(ASL)不同生产技术获得的提取物。此外，我们将分析在不同季节和不同地理位置采集的海藻样本。揭示海藻中新型CKs的存在，并发现其在加工和收获过程中的生物合成和去向机制，将使ASL更好地了解其环境友好产品在促进生长和改善作物品质方面的进一步潜力。它还将有助于通过基于生长激素效果改善的产品多样化来扩大公司的价值范围。这最终将促进ASL对特定消费者需求的回应，并增加加拿大园艺和农业行业的收入可能性。*

Natural growth enhancers in crop production have gained a lot of interest in modern agriculture, especially in areas of organic plant production. Seaweeds and their extracts have been used for years in farming to improve plant growth and stress tolerance (Craigie, 2011). Although the unique, positive effects of seaweeds on plant performance have been widely reported, the exact mode of action of their active compounds is still poorly understood. Effective natural ingredients of bioinoculants include the phytohormones, and feature the Cytokinins (CKs). Cytokinins are critical factors responsible for promotion of plant growth and development as they up-regulate cell division in all parts of a plant (Sakakibara, 2006). Previous research revealed the presence of particular types of CKs in raw seaweed materials and in their derived products that are offered on the market (Stirk et al., 2003). However, early work looking at a narrow range of CK in Ascophyllum nodosum indicated that the detectable levels may not be sufficient for growth promotion of plants that receive the extract spray (Wally et al., 2013). The aim of this project is to employ new technology to expand the range of analyzed CKs including forms that have not been previously analysed in seaweed. This expanded analysis will be applied to a wider range of raw seaweed materials, commercial seaweed biofertilizers and extracts obtained through different production technologies at Acadian Seaplants Limited (ASL). In addition, we will analyse seaweed samples harvested during different seasons and from diverse geographical locations. Revealing the presence of the new types of CKs in seaweeds, and discovering the mechanisms of their biosynthesis and fate during processing and harvesting will enable ASL to better understand the further potential of their environmental-friendly products for growth promotion and crop quality improvement. It will also help to increase the scope of Company's value through the diversification of their product based on improved growth hormone effects. This ultimately, will facilitate ASL's response to specific consumer demands and increase possibilities for revenue in the Canadian horticulture and agriculture industry.****