Canada's Organic Science Cluster

Activity A.2: Predictive tools for characterizing mycorrhizal contributions to phosphorus uptake by organic crops

Objectives:

The overall objective is to provide integrated tools to predict the contribution of native and introduced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to crop phosphorus (P) nutrition and productivity in soil test laboratories, enabling these commercial laboratories to make recommendations about the value of AM inoculation, and more accurate recommendations for costly P fertilizer use. We will deliver three models. Two of them will provide improved recommendations for P fertilization based on (1) empirical indicators of the contribution of AM fungi or (2) direct measurement of AM fungi using DNA markers, in addition to soil P supply capacity. The other model (3) will generate probabilities of yield increase with the use of an AM inoculant, based on results of a soil test.

The objectives of the different components of the project are to:

Develop empirical indicators of the contribution of native AM fungi to crop P nutrition and productivity based on soil capacity, and crop management practices, incorporate these indicators into forecasting models, and test these models
Develop molecular markers to identify and quantify AM fungal taxa from environmental samples, a protocol to use these indicators in soil testing laboratories, incorporate these indicators into forecasting models, and test these models
Develop indicators of soil responsiveness to AM inoculation, using an Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) certified AM fungal inoculant in numerous simple on-farm assays, and incorporate these indicators into a forecasting model to predict the likely outcome of the inoculation of wheat crops
Share the data collected in the field surveys with the NAHARP Agri-Environmental Indicator Initiative, and develop a basis for monitoring soil health in Canada