We take a holistic approach to the development of microbial inoculants, spanning microbe isolation, genomic and phenotypic characterization; elucidation of plant responses to inoculants; and the economic and environmental impact of inoculants. An overview of each of our research activities is provided below.
This research activity focuses on identifying novel microbial isolates from Canadian soils with potential for development into microbial inoculants for Canadian crops, with a focus on cereals (wheat & barley) and brassicas (canola & kale). To accomplish this goal, we will:
- Establish a new national microbial strain collection: the Canadian Collection of Agricultural Soil Microbes;
- Generate a pan-Canadian library of genome-sequenced plant-associated microbial strains;
- Perform detailed description of the source microbial communities from which we isolate microbes;
- Monitor the microbial communities of Canadian agricultural fields; and
- Develop models to predict inoculant development and field efficacy.
This research activity focuses on developing new rhizobium inoculants for Canadian legume crops, with a focus on dry bean (also known as common bean; Phaseolus vulgaris) and green peas (Pisum sativum). To accomplish this goal, we will:
- Isolate and characterize rhizobia from Canadian soils able to nodulate dry bean and green pea plants;
- Use repeated passaging to evolve rhizobia with superior symbiotic phenotypes; and
- Screen dry bean germplasms for elite nitrogen-fixation capacity.
This research activity focuses on optimizing microbial genotypes and conditions for industrial inoculant production and in-field performance. To accomplish this goal, we will:
- Screen microbes for in-culture growth, desiccation tolerance, and in-field survival;
- Evolve microbes with superior growth phenotypes, desiccation tolerance, and/or enhanced host plant range; and
- Identify the potential for co-fermentation of inoculants.
This research activity focuses on characterizing plant-inoculant interactions, in both controlled and field conditions, and at both the phenotypic and molecular levels. To accomplish this goal, we will:
- Undertake high throughput identification of Canadian microbes (from Activity 1) with plant growth promoting activities;
- Characterize the plant growth promoting activities of the microbes in stress and controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) conditions;
- Perform field testing of elite inoculants; and
- Elucidate mechanistic plant-microbe interactions to inform breeding.
This research activity focuses on assessing the environmental, economic, and social dimension of microbial inoculants. To accomplish this goal, we will:
- Model and measure the environmental impacts of microbial inoculants;
- Investigate the economics of inoculant application, production, and adoption; and
- Study public perceptions of lower emissions food crops.
Research Flow chart:
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) in agriculture; using biologicals to maximize environmental and economic benefit
Flowchart: using biologicals to maximize environmental and economic benefit