Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Agricultural crop plants require a wide range of intensive agricultural inputs, which include fertilizerx000D
applications, irrigation, pesticides, growth regulators and other synthetic and organic products. Nutrientsx000D
required for plant growth are formulated as fertilizers for ease of application and stability. In many cases, ax000D
combination of macronutrients and micronutrients are required to provide optimal plant growth. The mainx000D
macronutrients required by plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Micronutrients includex000D
copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) (9). Studies have shownx000D
that crop yield increases of 30 to 50% are attributed to use of natural or synthetic commercial fertilizers.x000D
Mineral nutrition can affect plant growth and disease development by increasing formation of mechanicalx000D
barriers, eg. development of thicker cell walls, or synthesis of natural defense compounds, i.e. phytoalexins,x000D
antioxidants, and flavonoids. In the previous NSERC Engage project, we demonstrated that applications ofx000D
PollinAID, containing a combination of N, P, K, and B, reduced pathogen growth and damage to the plantx000D
through either direct toxicity to the pathogen or by promoting induced resistance. Levels of phenolics werex000D
increased and B levels in tissues significantly increased. To further investigate the role of PollinAID (nowx000D
Active Flower), we propose to assess the effects of each of the individual nutrient components on plant growthx000D
and disease development on cucumber and canola plants. In addition, the levels of antioxidants and variousx000D
enzymes, including polyphenoloxidase, catalase, peroxidase, that are known to have a role in disease reductionx000D
in other plant species, will be assessed. The results will provide additional insight into the mechanisms of howx000D
this fertilizer product affects plant growth and should further our knowledge on fungal-plant interactions andx000D
provide novel information. Global market estimates for fertilizer sales are projected to exceed US $185 billionx000D
in 2017. Hence, a better understanding of how these chemicals may indirectly influence crop health can providex000D
additional opportunities for optimal use of fertilizers for crop production and crop protection.