Application of organic acids for improved soybean performance

Adverse growing conditions as a result of unpredictable changes in climate results in millions of dollars in crop and yield loss each year to Canadian farmers. Thus, the ability to improve crop performance under stress conditions is a major challenge. Improved plant performance, especially during the seedling stage of plant development, can be supported by the use of conventional NPK fertilizers that can have a negative impact on surrounding agricultural ecology if not applied properly. The proposed MITACS Accelerate project will support research and bridge relations between industry and scientists at the University of Manitoba to investigate the effect of organic acids on improved plant performance from the earliest stages of seedling establishment. We will be studying the mode of action of MX3, an all natural organic acid seed treatment, globally using a combination of large scale microbiome and RNA sequencing coupled with comprehensive bioinformatics approaches and agronomic studies. The impact of this work has broad application to crops grown in Canada and will lead to a deeper understanding of molecular events critical for plant establishment and performance.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Belmonte

Student:

Partner:

Jumpstart Environmental Technologies Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture and Food

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: