Using the Arabidopis toolbox to evaluate the plant growth promoting activity of purified molecules from brown algal extracts

Seaweeds and seaweed products have been promoted in agriculture as source of nutrients and activators, to improve plant growth, plant productivity and food production. A wide range of beneficial effects have been observed, including seed germination, enhanced growth and crop yield, elevated resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. However, the bioactive compounds have not been identified using classical methods of bioassay-guided fractionation and the mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. The aim of this exchange project is, at first, to test purified fractions of commercial seaweed extracts that are candidates to promote plant growth using rapid bioassays that were develop by the host laboratory to evaluate the plant growth promoting activity on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. These tests will complement a study of the physiological effects of these seaweeds extracts in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana through transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches that is conducted within the PhD thesis of the applicant.

Faculty Supervisor:

Balakrishnan Prithiviraj

Student:

Céline Conan

Partner:

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

University:

Dalhousie University

Program:

Globalink Research Award