Premier Tech Biotechnologies Validation Field Testing

Dr Phil Warman, Dominique Le Quéré, Dr Genevieve Roy, and Norma MacLellan

The term "mycorrhizae" describes a symbiotic relationship between certain fungi and plant roots. When mycorrhizal fungi colonize the plant's root system, they create a network that increases the plant's capacity to absorb water and nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi interact with the majority of terrestrial as well as aquatic plants. This 400 million year old partnership has persisted due to a mutual exchange between the plant and the fungus. Carbon is provided by the plant, and in return the fungus offers its abilities to acquire nutrients and water by increasing the absorptive surface area of the roots, as well as protection against pathogenic and parasitic attack. This relationship, depending on the species composition, also determines plant community structure and plant establishment in disturbed environments.

Since 1983, Premier Tech Biotechnnologies has been working on important research and development studies in order to come up with leading edge technology for plant-scale mycorrhizal fungi production, the main factor limiting its wide spread use. The use of the most sophisticated techniques and equipment has allowed Premier Tech Biotechnologies to develop a unique expertise in manufacturing superior quality mycorrhizal-based products on an industrial scale. As part of its commitment to developing high quality products, Premier Tech Biotechnologies routinely conducts field testing. The goal of our field testing is to ensure performance of the products when used as recommended, and to accumulate data to demonstrate the beneficial use of mycorhizal inoculants for different plant species.

Field testing at the Brookside site will examine the effects of Glomus intraradices, formulated for the product MYKE® VEGETABLE GARDEN GROWTH SUPPLEMENT, on vegetable growth and yield when inoculated at seeding. It will allow testing of the product under the soil and weather conditions of Nova Scotia and at 3 different dosages for carrots, beans, and lettuce.

Researchers and Collaborators:

Dr. Phil Warman (Contact)
Coastal BioAgresearch Ltd./Nova Scotia Agricultural College
Dept. Environmental Sciences, NSAC
P.O. Box 550
Truro, NS B2N 5E3
E-mail: pwarman@nsac.ns.ca
Telephone: 902-893-6625

Dominique Le Quéré, Premier Tech Biotechnologies

Dr. Genevieve Roy, Premier Tech Biotechnologies

Norma MacLellan, Summer Student, Nova Scotia Agricultural College

Funding Partners:

Premier Tech Biotechnologies