Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Sylvar Technologies Inc. will partner with the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to bring a new biofungicide, ECO-77 based on Trichoderma, for control of foliar Botrytis disease, to Canadian growers. It is currently registered in South Africa for wine grape Botrytis control and is in the process of registration for wine grapes in Canada. This project will focus on expanding the use of this new product for ornamental and small fruit crops, by conducting efficacy and other trials required for Canadian registration. In conjunction with this work, we will screen several native BC Trichoderma isolates in the collection at ISH/KPU for foliar Botrytis control. Specifically we will determine the optimum timing, frequency and application rate for Sylvar's ECO-77 Trichoderma and several BC strains for ornamental and strawberry crops in BC. Data collected on Sylvar's ECO-77 product will be incorporated into a data package for Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). BC Trichoderma strains that are identified as promising for Botrytis control will be offered to our industry partner, Sylvar Technologies for future commercialization. To optimize the efficacy of new Trichoderma-based biofungicides we will also test the combined efficacy of ECO-77 and BC Trichoderma isolates with Sylvar's complementary growth promoter, RhizoVital 42 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42). The growth promotion of RhizoVital 42 can help to produce healthier plants that are more capable of withstanding disease. Taken together, these products will help to broaden Canada's biological portfolio and provide new environmentally-protective products for Canadian agriculture and horticulture while strengthening a Canadian company and training students and new graduates for the green economy.