Development of a highly reliable biofertilizer for pulse-based rotations
Lead Investigator(s)
Dr. Chantal Hamel
Lead Investigator(s) Institution
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Objective
To improve the productivity and nutrient efficiency of cropping systems involving pea, lenti,l or chickpea by bringing to commercialization a pulse-associated H2-oxidizing plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria from Saskatchewan.
Outcome
Adapted associative bacteria can enhance the growth, yield, and N2-fixation of legumes. The plant-growth-promoting attributes of H2-oxydizing rhizobacteria associated with the roots of lentil grown in semiarid Saskatchewan were evaluated. The soil-borne pathogen Fusarium avenaceum was markedly suppressed by all the H2-oxidizing bacteria in vitro, and seven isolates also suppressed the growth of both Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum. Several of the H2-oxidizing rhizobacterial isolates increased shoot and root biomass. Several isolates increase nodule number both under drought and conditions of moisture sufficiency. The inoculation of lentil with individual H2-oxidizing rhizobacteria enhanced greenhouse-grown plants infected by the fungal root pathogens F. avenaceum, R. solani, and P. ultimum. Some of the H2-oxidizing rhizobacteria exhibited multiple plant-growth-promoting attributes. Inoculation with the H2-oxydizing rhizobacteria increased the level of natural AM root colonization in the field and could improve plant productivity at flowering, with no effect on grain yield.
Agronomy
SPG Contribution
$167,604.00
Project Status
Complete
Duration/Timeline of Project (Year to Year)
2013 - 2016
Co-funders
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture - Agriculture Development Fund
Total Project Cost
$335,208.00