Page 175 - Plant Canada 2024 Proceeding

PLANT CANADA 2024

*[O140] PURPOSE-GROWN BIOMASS CROPS IN NOVA SCOTIA: STATISTICAL PREDICTIVE YIELD
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MODELLING AND REAL-WORLD VERIFICATION. Emily G. Mantin , Laura K. Weir , Yousef A.
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Papadopoulos , and J. Kevin Vessey . Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s University, 923 Robie Street,
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Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H 3C3; and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, 58 Sipu Awti, Truro, NS, Canada,
B2N 4H5
Correspondence to: emily.mantin@smu.ca

The bioeconomy of Nova Scotia could be stimulated by the increased production of purpose-grown
biomass crops grown on marginal agricultural lands. Biomass yields of four crops of interest (switchgrass,
miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus L.), coppiced hybrid-poplar and willow) were predicted using linear
mixed-effects models created from published data in areas with similar climates to Nova Scotia. These
models were validated and refined using yields from five field sites established across the province. Two
locally sourced, low-cost soil amendments (pulp and paper mill effluent residue and liquid anaerobic
digestate) and one plant biostimulant (Ascophyllum nodosum extract) were applied to the crops during
the establishment year to evaluate effects on crop establishment and early yield. This research focuses
on two of the five aforementioned local field sites, Bible Hill and Nappan. The grasses were harvested
annually, while the trees were harvested after one 3-year growth cycle post-coppicing. Mean miscanthus
biomass yield three years post-establishment (Year 4) across two sites was 7,200 kg ha year , while
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switchgrass yield was 1,800 kg ha year . The mean predicted yields across field sites, based on the
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developed models, were 6,700 kg ha year and 4,000 kg ha year for miscanthus and switchgrass,
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respectively. Mean hybrid-poplar and willow biomass yields across sites after one growth cycle were
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1,200 kg ha year and 1,700 kg ha year , respectively, while yield models predicted biomass yields of
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hybrid-poplar (3,300 kg ha year ) and willow (4,900 kg ha year ) across Bible Hill and Nappan field
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sites. Biomass yields reported in the field are likely lower than predicted due to the infancy of the field
trials; these crops have likely not reached their maximum yield potential yet. Minimal differences were
reported between amendment treatments and management factors during establishment have also been
identified as important influences on early yields of these crops.

*[O141] A SEED TREATMENT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SOYBEAN CYST NEAMTODE ON DRY
BEANS. Emma McIlveen , Chris Gillard , and Owen Wally . Department of Plant Agriculture, University
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of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1; and Harrow Research and Development Centre, Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada, 2585 Essex County Rd 20, Harrow, ON, Canada, N0R1G0
Correspondence to: owen.wally@agr.gc.ca

The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines, SCN) is the principal soil-borne pest threatening
soybean production in North America, inflicting annual losses exceeding $50 million in Ontario alone. Its
ability to infect dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has heightened concerns in regions like Southern
Ontario, where dry bean and soybean cultivation areas significantly overlap. In dry beans, SCN can
induce similar detrimental phenotypic effects as in soybeans, including stunted growth, decreased pod
numbers, and reduced seed size. Notably, much of the yield reduction in soybeans occurs without overt
phenotypic symptoms, a phenomenon not yet fully explored in dry beans. Despite extensive research into
SCN management strategies in soybeans, such as seed treatments, crop rotation, and genetic
resistance, similar studies in dry beans remain sparse. This discrepancy underscores the urgent need for
focused research on effective management approaches, including seed treatment efficacy and genetic
resistance in dry beans. This study evaluates the effectiveness of novel and commercial seed treatments
for controlling SCN in dry beans. We tested an experimental compound from Syngenta Canada Ltd. at
various concentrations on black beans (cv. Blacktails) and kidney beans (cv. Dynasty), and compared
these to established treatments, pydiflumetofen (Saltro® (Syngenta)) and fluopyram (Ilevo® (BASF)).
Field trials conducted in 2023 provided early-season data on SCN control by examining cyst counts in
root samples. Notably, roots treated with fluopyram exhibited a significant reduction in cyst density
compared to the control group. Specifically, the black beans treated with fluopyram in one field exhibited
a significant reduction in cysts per root and cysts per gram root compared to the control group. Soil
samples were also analyzed to determine the nematode's reproductive factor, and crop yields were
measured. Initial results indicated that the seed treatments did not significantly influence full-season SCN
control. To verify these findings and expand on them, the field trials will be repeated in 2024, with
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