Porphyrins and phthalocyanines are important biological molecules that, for example, control respiration of plants (chlorophyll helps convert C02 to oxygen) and heme controls the 02/C02 balance in human blood. Such compounds possess many other regulatory roles. In the presence of light some of these compounds convert oxygen into ‘reactive oxygen species’ (ROS). ROS aggressively attack […]

The for the health and well being of the BC forest industry and First Nations communities in BC, it is important to know how these two groups are interacting with each other. The goal of this research is to better understand what kind of relationships forestry companies and First Nations communities have. This research would […]

The cannabis boom in Canada is reaching a full swing. At the same time, the research on agricultural and medicinal cannabis is still lagging behind. Cannabis is typically grown at high density in the contained environment. Such conditions lead to high pathogen pressure. Fungal pathogens like those causing powdery mildew, grey and white mold result […]

Near the end of every maple syrup harvest season, the syrup can acquire an unpalatable off-flavour called ‘buddy’. Buddy flavor cannot be tasted or detected in the tree sap prior to processing into syrup. This can loss of income, and unnecessary expenditure to produce the syrup that is unpalatable. This work seeks to identify chemical […]

Being certified as sustainable through a third-party organization, such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council, gives forest products companies and organization a way to demonstrate to consumers that their management practices are ecologically sound. To understand the value of certification programs, it is important to be able to quantify the conservation […]

The depletion of fossil fuels and the negative impacts of their extraction and combustion on the environment have encouraged scientists and industrial stakeholders to explore the development of alternative, and renewable energy resources such as bio-oil, which can be produced from biomass by pyrolysis and bio-oil upgrading. The main disadvantages of crude bio-oils derived from […]

Spotted Wing Drosophila is an aggressive invasive pest that is high research and management priority for the BC and Canadian berry and small fruit industry. Spotted Wing Drosophila can substantially reduce crop yields despite heavy uses of chemical insecticides, which in some cases can be harmful to the environment and human health. Botanical extracts from […]

Les feux naturels sont actuellement rares au Bas-Saint-Laurent et leur dynamique holocène demeure mal connue. Les écosystèmes pyrophiles exceptionnels, tels que les pinèdes, pourraient témoigner de feux naturels historiques. Les pins pourraient aussi avoir été favorisés par les activités humaines précoloniales. Les Autochtones, et notamment les Malécites, pourraient être impliqués dans le maintien de ces […]

Controlled plant factories are closed and insulated environments that can be automated and artificially illuminated. They may be built in recycled shipping containers that are mobile, carrying enormous potential for food crop production and addressing food security in remote areas. However, lighting technologies and light positioning in these factories has not been optimized for different […]

Crop losses and the economic impact caused by canola insect pests is substantial, depending on outbreak conditions. With the predicted de-registration of two key insecticides, canola producers are potential subject to greater economic losses. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), also known as predatory nematodes, are commercially available biocontrol agents for the management of insect pests. Although below-ground […]

Mobility in the home is a difficult task for older adults with mobility limitations and is associated with a risk of injury from falling. However, it is a requisite for maintaining independence. A number of assistive technologies have been developed to help a number of different activities of daily living, one in specific is the […]

Modern pesticides have revolutionized agriculture. However, growing concerns with pest resistance, environmental run-off, and a lack of capacity to deal with abiotic stresses associated with drought or extreme heat (critical issues with regards to climate change) demand new solutions. Suncor has developed new plant immune aids that address these challenges by fortifying the immunity of […]