Scientific, technological and economic outlook for sustainable fertilization technologies

This day long seminar will provide participants with opportunities to:

• explore avenues for best agricultural practices that maximize the benefits of soil amendments;
• discuss research opportunities focused on the mechanisms involved in making nutrients available to plants by using the diversity of microorganisms present in soil and soil amendments.

Attendees will be able to hear from researchers and companies involved in soil amendments and explore avenues for good agricultural practices. Companies with products in this area will be in attendance. Please contact Oleg Stukalov if you would like to exhibit your product in mini-trade show.

8:30am Registration Opens 8:45am Welcome and Opening Remarks

Tyler Whale, Ontario Agri-food Technologies; Dr. Donna Kotsopoulos, Associate VP Research, Wilfrid Laurier University

9:15am Dr. Peter van Straaten, University of Guelph

Rocks for Crops: The use of locally available minerals and rocks to enhance soil fertility

9:45am

John Slack, Boreal Agrominerals Inc

The Spanish River Carbonatite – Prospecting for Agrominerals

10:00am

James Jones, M.Sc. candidate, Wilfrid Laurier University

Agromineral amendment maintains pea health and promotes soil microbial growth in a lab setting

10:20am Dr. Pedro M. Antunes, Algoma University

Manipulating the soil microbial community for rhizofortification

10:50am Refreshment Break 11:00am Alexandra Reid, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Partnership Grants Program 11:15am Mahima Agochiya, Ontario Genomics Institute

Programs and funding for industry-academia genomics research projects

11:25am Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, Trent University The role of cover crops in sustainability of crop production systems 12noon Networking lunch (provided) 1:20pm Andrew White, Char Technologies

Activated Biochar for hydrogen sulfide removal and subsequent use as a sulfur-enriched biochar "fertilizer”

1:40pm Denis Blais, Day Group

Zero Waste!

2:00pm Mark Kean, Mikro-Tek Inc.

Climate change projects in agriculture: Mycorrhizal applications

2:30pm Networking and Refreshment Break 3:45pm Dr. Adi Treasurywala, ArrowCan Partners A moderated discussion with academic researchers and industry partners on future research directions and next steps to collaborate and advance long-term economic and environmental sustainability of Ontario agriculture" 5:00pm Wrap up

Trade show open from 9am - 3pm.

Co-organizers:

Dr. Frédérique Guinel, Professor, Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University

Dr. Pedro M. Antunes, Associate Professor, Biology, Algoma University

John Slack , CEO, Boreal Agrominerals Inc.

Sponsors: