Tag: crop health

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants, meaning it’s required in smaller quantities compared to macronutrients but is equally vital for plant growth and development. Zinc is a cofactor for numerous enzymes and is involved in various physiological and biochemical processes within plants. It plays a critical role in many aspects of plant growth, […]

Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for plants and is classified as a primary macronutrient, along with nitrogen and phosphorus. It plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, growth, and development of plants. Potassium is required in relatively large quantities by plants and is involved in several key functions. Here’s a detailed overview of […]

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are growth hormones from the steroid family that are found in all plant species. They have a high-growth promoting activity, particularly in pollen and anthers, and take their name from the pollen of canola (Brassica napus), where they were initially discovered. BRs are involved in the control of cell division, elongation and differentiation […]

Soil salinity can occur naturally or be caused by practices used on the farm – continuously irrigating with water that has a high salt concentration, for example. While some crops are tolerant to saline soils, high concentrations of some salts can be toxic to others. Salinity can also hinder a plant’s uptake of water and […]

Well-balanced nutrition including healthy levels of essential micronutrients like manganese (Mn) plays a key role in a crop’s natural ability to resist diseases. Mn is known as an activator of a crop’s internal defense responses, especially when it comes to root rots. Keep reading to learn more about how manganese supports a crop’s ability to […]

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient that while needed in small amounts, plays a key role in photosynthesis. Mn sparks the photosynthesis process by splitting water after Photosytem II (PSII) fixes light to initiate the conversion of CO2 and water into carbohydrates. Manganese deficiency is widespread in Canadian Prairies and Eastern Canada, reducing growth and […]

Copper (Cu) is a micronutrient which is only needed in trace amounts, but is involved in several key plant actions, including photosynthesis, nitrogen utilization, protein production and water regulation. Copper deficiency is becoming more widespread across Western Canada, limiting a crop’s growth and reducing yield potential. In this post we will examine the role of […]

The 2019 growing season started of dry across most of Western Canada and turned wet starting about mid-summer all the way through to winter snow fall, including an October blizzard in parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Now, over 4.2 million acres (2.5M in Saskatchewan; 1.6M in Alberta and over 260,000 in Manitoba) are still […]

Although it may appear to be revolutionary, the concept of using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, or PGPR, has been with us for over 30 years. In the rhizosphere, the space immediately surrounding the roots of a plant, a complex series of interactions between the plant, microorganisms and the soil is in place. This unique environment supports […]

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2020 the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH). This global declaration, which follows International Year of Soil in 2015, is meant to raise awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment and boost the economy of many countries around the world. […]