Grant: Engage Grants Program

Exotic invasive species (EIS) pose a major threat to Canada's environment, economy and society. In particular, exotic invasive insects and fungi are notorious for causing tree mortality to a large variety of tree species. For instance, all North American ash tree species appear to be vulnerable to infestation by the exotic wood-boring beetle Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Since its detection in 2002, EAB has spread across 18 USA states and two Canadian provinces and millions of ash trees have died as a result. To protect trees against insect attack, BioForest Technologies Inc. uses a microinjection system to apply TreeAzin? Systemic Insecticide into trees; a treatment that confers protection to insect attack for at least 2 years. BioForest Technologies Inc also distributes a fungicide, Arbotect 20-S, to protect trees from Dutch Elm disease. There is evidence that the active agent of TreeAzin? Systemic Insecticide, azadirachtin, may have fungicidal or fungistatic properties. However, this has not been tested in priority exotic invasive fungi causing tree mortality in Canada. This project will determine whether TreeAzin? or an improved version of the product is indeed anti-fungal against the disease agents causing tree mortality and at what concentrations. The project will also compare how TreeAzin? compares against other antifungal products such as Arbotect 20-S which is currently used by BioForest Technologies Inc. If TreeAzin? has the required anti fungal properties the long-term goal of BioForest Technologies Inc is to expand its TreeAzin? Systemic Insecticide label to also include fungi.