Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Institute for Sustainable Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, will partner with Headlands Garden Plants Ltd. to explore and develop tissue culture methods for mass propagation of a group of rare exotic ornamental plants. Headlands produces and markets over 80 different herb and edible plant species for culinary and decorative uses. Their expansion goals include developing a line of novel decorative plants to meet increasing local and national consumer demand. This project will determine the feasibility of using tissue culture techniques to develop scalable protocols for five species for which no North American production exists at present. A novel biotization strategy will be trialed using two microbial endophytes known to benefit tissue culture propagation (one bacterial and one fungal), and one novel fungal endophyte, a BC native Beauveria bassiana isolate which has shown growth promotion effects on many plants. This project will train one Headlands Garden Plants staff in tissue culture propagation and biotization for exotic plants through participating in the research, and a provide the company with a foundation from which to develop future TC crops. The ability of KPU to partner with, and bring value to the horticulture industry in our region will be enhanced. A horticulture student or new grad will benefit from hands-on experience through participation in this project in tissue culture and biotization techniques which will benefit their future career.