Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Acadian Seaplants Limited (ASL) is a fully integrated, research-driven biotech manufacturer. Through their research, ASL has developed a crop biostimulant derived from the seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum. This seaweed biostimulant exhibits growth-stimulating activities to crops, and can reduce abiotic stress such as drought, heat, and salinity. However, the ability to decrease frost stress damage remains unclear. As a result, ASL would like to collaborate with Nova Scotia Community College to determine if and how their seaweed biostimulant reduces frost damage. In addition, ASL is interested in determining if their seaweed biostimulant can be used to help crops recover following frost damage, allowing producers to recuperate potential lost yields. Anticipated results will indicate that the ASL biostimulant can be used to mitigate frost damage by reducing direct freezing damage and by helping crops recover after the frost damage has occurred, providing a competitive advantage over other biostimulant companies. Positive results would also allow ASL to market their product to northern production systems where frost occurrence is an issue. Regional and national producers will benefit through the adoption of this product in their growing practices, allowing them to reduce yield losses associated with frost events.