Microbes, Minerals, and Myths

This event is FREE to attend, courtesy of the County of Paintearth. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. This event is a collaboration between the Battle River Research Group (BRRG) and the Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA).

Speakers

"Dr. Don M. Huber is an Emeritus Professor of Plant Pathology with Purdue University. Dr. Huber has had a long, varied, and highly productive career focused on plant physiology, micro-biology, and pathology. His agricultural research the past 50 years has focused on the epidemiology and control of soil-borne plant pathogens with emphasis on microbial ecology, cultural and biological controls and the physiology of host-parasite relationships. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in the development of nitrification inhibitors to improve the efficiency of N fertilizers; interactions of the form of nitrogen, manganese and other nutrients in disease; herbicide-nutrient-disease interactions; techniques for rapid microbial identification and cultural control of plant diseases."

Dr. Yamily Zavala, Soil Health Lab Manager and Soil Health and Crop Management Specialist at Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA). Dr. Yamily Zavala led development of the CARA Soil Health Lab which opened in 2018. Under her management, the Soil Health Lab focuses on assessment of physical and biological soil health indicators and allows producers the opportunity for hands-on evaluation of their soils. She has been part of the CARA staff for 13 years and oversees applied researches on management alternative for soil health in addition to processing soils and managing the CARASHLab.

Prior to joining the CARA staff, Yamily worked with producers in several countries restoring soil fertility and improving cropping systems. Her international experience is supported by an education focused on agriculture and soils. She obtained an Agricultural Engineering degree at a university located in the Andes Mountains of Venezuela. She attended Missouri University achieving a Masters in Agronomy (with minor in Soil Science) and earned a PhD in Soil and Plant Nutrition from Cornell University.

https://www.carasoilhealthlab.ca/

Presentations

Is A Hidden Killer Lurking In Your Soil? Dr. Don M. Huber

More and more often, farmers are doing everything right nutritionally and seeing their crop die because residual soil glyphosate becomes an active herbicide absorbed through the roots. With the indiscriminate application of 250 million pounds of glyphosate-based herbicides in agriculture and a comparable quarter billion pounds in forestry, parks & recreation, utility rights of way and homesteads each year, we now have very high levels of residual glyphosate accumulating in many soils. These herbicides accumulate over time because the microorganisms that can degrade these synthetic chemicals are not commonly present. In addition to chemical residue from direct application for W**d control, crop management or crop desiccation prior to harvest; contaminated surface or ground water, contaminated fertilizers and drift are additional sources of concern. Previous recommendations to manage toxic levels of glyphosate have included the application of cationic nutrients like calcium (lime), magnesium, iron, etc. that will chelate and detoxify it as an herbicide; however, this merely ‘kicks the can down the road’ because phosphorus fertilizers, needed for optimum crop production, can desorb the chelated glyphosate to release the active herbicide. Research the past three years has shown the benefits of biologically degrading residual soil glyphosate to release immobilized nutrients and increase crop yield and nutrient density.

Nutrient Manage To Control Plant Diseases Dr. Don M Huber

The 18 essential nutrients for plants become components of the plant’s roots, stems, leaves, reproductive structures, enzymes, enzyme co-factors, and metabolites. A deficiency of any essential nutrient will have a deleterious effect on the plant to compromise growth, quality, reproduction, and pest resistance. Pests and diseases are frequently symptoms of induced nutrient deficiency and can be managed through timely availability of specific nutrients that are critical for their defense. I will present six ways to use nutrition to manage plant diseases.

Alberta Benchmark Verification Project Results: Evaluating the Effect of Management on Soil Health Parameters

Dr. Zavala will share the final results of a multi-year, Alberta-wide soil health project that gives insight into how different field management practices are effecting physical, biological, and chemical soil health parameters.

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Coronation.