Kris Guenette | ALES Graduate Seminar

Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree. This is an ALES PhD Final Exam Seminar by Kris Guenette. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.

Zoom Link:  https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/97518928209?pwd=6osUbyTc29UyRKIbmPqo0cIlKJrqmw.1

PhD with Dr. Guillermo Hernandez Ramirez.

Thesis Topic: Implications of the Right Soil on Synthetic and Biological Technologies in Western Canadian Spring Wheat Production

Abstract:

The 4R framework for nutrient stewardship embodies management practices to improve sustainability without compromising productivity; however, the advent of new biotechnologies illuminates the challenge of capturing their broad scale applicability. Potential biologicals of interest to Canadian spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) production, such as commercially cultured arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), may be an untapped resource to improve crop productivity. Inoculation of the AMF species Rhizophagus irregularis in spring wheat has historically led to mixed outcomes but overall play an important part in N and P uptake. Analysis of AMF inoculation’s ability to influence Canadian spring wheat varieties was undertaken across different management systems and N availability. Additionally, the viability of AMF inoculation was tested among practices such as nitrification inhibitor incorporation and foliar fungicide use. These findings highlight the need to expand the 4R framework to include novel biotechnologies as another tool to improve crop productivity.