Research at the Green Crop Network
Theme 1- N2O Emissions
This theme will focus on understanding the genetic controls and the relationships within the plant-microbe-soil continuum leading to N2O emissions during growth of N-fertilizer-supplied crops and N2-fixing legumes, and on developing mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Theme Leaders
Dr. Gary Kachanoski (University of Alberta)
gary.kachanoski@ualberta.ca
External www page
Dr. Jim J. Germida (University of Saskatchewan)
germida@sask.usask.ca
External www page
Project 1a:
Identification of regulatory genes to improve nitrogen use efficiency.
Project leader
Dr. Steven J. Rothstein (University of Guelph)
rothstei@uoguelph.ca
External www page
Project 1b:
Identification of regulatory genes to reduce N2O production.
Project 1b Leaders
Dr. Illimar Altosaar (University of Ottawa)
altosaar@uottawa.ca
External www page
Dr. Herbert J. Kronzucker (University of Toronto)
herbertk@utsc.utoronto.ca
External www page
Project 1c:
Manipulation of rhizosphere organisms to enhance C-sequestration and reduce N2O emissions.
Project leader
Dr. Fran L. Walley (University of Saskatchewan)
walley@sask.usask.ca
External www page
Project 1d:
Nitrous oxide emission from the rhizosphere: microbial coordination of sources and mitigation.
Project leader
Dr. Steven Siciliano (University of Saskatchewan)
siciliano@sask.usask.ca
External www page
Project 1f:
Nitrogen fixation, hydrogen production and N2O emissions.
Project leader
Dr. Zhongmin Dong (St Mary's University)
zhongmin.dong@smu.ca
External www page
Theme 2 - Soil Carbon Stocks
Three projects are included in this theme, focusing on altering the amount as well as the composition of plant C via both plant-genetic changes and plant-microbe interactions and examining how those changes affect soil processes, including microbial activities, and the various pools of soil C, and providing scientific insight to facilitate enhanced soil carbon sequestration.
Theme Leaders
Dr. Don Smith (McGill University)
dsmith@macdonald.mcgill.ca
External www page
Dr. Henry Janzen (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
janzen@agr.gc.ca
External www page
Project 2a:
Manipulating lignin deposition.
Project leader
Dr. Brian Ellis (University of British Columbia)
bee@interchange.ubc.ca
External www page
Project 2c:
Microbial control of plant responses to climate change related stresses.
Project leader
Dr. Don Smith (McGill University)
dsmith@macdonald.mcgill.ca
External www page
Project 2d:
Transforming plant C into soil C: process-level controls on C sequestration.
Project leader
Dr. Joann K. Whalen (McGill University)
joann.whalen@mcgill.ca
External www page
Theme 3 - Plant C02 responses
This theme will provide a genetic and metabolic blue-print for enhanced plant C storage and biomass production through an enhanced capacity for CO2 uptake and N-assimilation in response to the combination of elevated CO2, heat and drought stress typically associated with global warming.
Theme Leader
Dr. Norman P.A. Hüner (University of Western Ontario)
nhuner@uwo.ca
External www page
Project 3a:
Identification and characterization of plant variants exhibiting enhanced photosynthesis and biomass production under elevated CO2, high temperature and drought.
Project leader
Dr. Bernard Grodzinski (University of Guelph)
bgrozdin@uoguelph.ca
External www page
Project 3b:
Reverse engineering plant variants for direct C sink management: respiratory metabolism of natural plant variants with beneficial growth responses to prolonged elevated CO2 levels.
Project leader
Dr. Greg Vanlerberghe (University of Toronto at Scarborough)
gregv@utsc.utoronto.ca
External www page
Project 3d:
Regulation of N-assimilation and biomass production.
Project leader
Dr. Herbert J. Kronzucker (University of Toronto)
herbertk@utsc.utoronto.ca
External www page
Theme 4 - Biofuel Crops
Theme Leaders
Dr. Kevin Vessey (Saint Mary’s University)
kevin.vessey@smu.ca
External www page
This theme involves utilizing the extensive molecular tools and genomic information to develop Brassica crops as feedstocks for biofuel (biodiesel) production. Three projects from this theme will focus on screening of Brassica spp. germplasm for high seed-oil content; manipulating seed-oil content of Brassica and Arabidopsis; and assessing how modification of Brassica germplasm for seed-oil content affects important "ancillary" feedstock characteristics such as C partitioning, NUE, and rhizospheric N2O production.
Project 4a:
Identification of Brassica genotypes and molecular markers for increased seed-oil content.
Project leader
Dr. Peter McVetty (University of Manitoba)
mcvetty@cc.umanitoba.ca
External www page
Project 4b:
Investigation of the contribution of oil biosynthetic enzymes to seed oil content in B. napus and A. thaliana.
Project leader
Dr. Ljerka Kunst (University of British Columbia)
kunst@interchange.ubc.ca
External www page
Project 4c:
The bilateral influence of plant and rhizosphere characteristics in Brassica sp. varying in seed oil productivity.
Project leader
Dr. Kevin Vessey (Saint Mary’s University)
kevin.vessey@smu.ca
External www page
