Pilot Scale Optimization of Microbial Biostimulants from Organic Waste for Enhanced Crop Performance and Resistance

Fertilizers derived from organic waste are well positioned to fortify ‘sustainable’ agricultural practices in Canada and elsewhere by reducing energy-expensive fertilizer production, reducing waste and addressing the overuse of pesticides on food crops, medicinal plants and natural health products derived from plant products. Circulus Agtech Inc., with its organic waste-to-fertilizer process, produces excess microbial biomass that has potential as a biostimulant admixture for hydroponic or soil-based plant production systems in greenhouses or controlled environment agriculture. Previous research has demonstrated that bacteria isolated from this biomass are able to influence nitrogen availability in soils that can benefit the plant health. This collaborative partnership between researchers at McGill University and Circulus Agtech aims to explore pilot-scale optimization of microbial biostimulant production that will ensure superior microbial load, reliability and consistency between batches. At the same time, this interdisciplinary team of bioresource engineers, sustainable agriculture specialists and microbiologists will examine the potential benefits of these microbial biostimulant population on several hydroponically and soil-grown crops, with respect to plant growth and development, nutrient uptake, crop yield and defense against plant pests and pathogens.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Lefsrud

Student:

Partner:

Circulus AgTech Solutions Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Energy and Utilities; Water

University:

McGill University

Program: