Reference number : GC-2017-Q2-00370, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Hillier, Kirk (Acadia University), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Nova Scotia|Nouvelle-Écosse, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Collaborative Research and Development Grants - Project, program name french : Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative - projet, program purpose english : Heritage Memorials Ltd., located in Windsor, Nova Scotia, is a manufacturer of high quality memorial and monument products, primarily comprised from granite. Industrial rock-cutting for memorial manufacturing generates a significant amount of rock dust powders (byproduct) as a result of the stone-cutting process. _x000D_
Preliminary research by the company has shown promise for this 'ai' (active ingredient) as a beneficial soil amendment and a potential insect control method. _x000D_
Preliminary research (funded by an NSERC Engage grant) has revealed several effects of granite dust (ai) application. Foliar application of ai directly reduces larval damage and results in oviposition avoidance by females in selected insect species. Furthermore, application of ai to fruit reduces survivorship of frugivorous pests, and inhibits fungal growth. The mode of action may be multifaceted: First, larvae may actively avoid material. Second, given its structure, it may function in a similar manner to diatomaceous earth (resulting in water loss). Finally, it may also cause damage within the gut tissue inhibiting feeding._x000D_
The objectives of this 2 year project will be to: 1) elucidate the mode of action; 2) improve delivery technology through improved sprayability and waterfastness; 3) expand the range of crops and pest targets in greenhouse trials; 4) validate targets for retail markets, including household insect pests (e.g. ants) and horticultural pests; 5) test the safety of ai application on non-target beneficial species (e.g. pollinators); 6) integrate studies of plant vigour to determine if pest resistance is indirectly linked to improved plant vigour in soil amendment application of ai._x000D_
This endeavor will provide critical data for product development and registration for Heritage Memorials Ltd., and if these products are commercialized, will result in market delivery of innovative inert rock dust powders, which may provide environmentally safe alternatives to standard chemical insect repellents., program purpose french : Heritage Memorials Ltd., located in Windsor, Nova Scotia, is a manufacturer of high quality memorial and monument products, primarily comprised from granite. Industrial rock-cutting for memorial manufacturing generates a significant amount of rock dust powders (byproduct) as a result of the stone-cutting process. _x000D_
Preliminary research by the company has shown promise for this 'ai' (active ingredient) as a beneficial soil amendment and a potential insect control method. _x000D_
Preliminary research (funded by an NSERC Engage grant) has revealed several effects of granite dust (ai) application. Foliar application of ai directly reduces larval damage and results in oviposition avoidance by females in selected insect species. Furthermore, application of ai to fruit reduces survivorship of frugivorous pests, and inhibits fungal growth. The mode of action may be multifaceted: First, larvae may actively avoid material. Second, given its structure, it may function in a similar manner to diatomaceous earth (resulting in water loss). Finally, it may also cause damage within the gut tissue inhibiting feeding._x000D_
The objectives of this 2 year project will be to: 1) elucidate the mode of action; 2) improve delivery technology through improved sprayability and waterfastness; 3) expand the range of crops and pest targets in greenhouse trials; 4) validate targets for retail markets, including household insect pests (e.g. ants) and horticultural pests; 5) test the safety of ai application on non-target beneficial species (e.g. pollinators); 6) integrate studies of plant vigour to determine if pest resistance is indirectly linked to improved plant vigour in soil amendment application of ai._x000D_
This endeavor will provide critical data for product development and registration for Heritage Memorials Ltd., and if these products are commercialized, will result in market delivery of innovative inert rock dust powders, which may provide environmentally safe alternatives to standard chemical insect repellents., agreement title english : Insecticidal and behavioral effects of granite dust byproducts, agreement title french : Insecticidal and behavioral effects of granite dust byproducts, agreement number : CRDPJ, agreement value : 66500.0, agreement start date : 2017-08-23, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2019-2020)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2019-2020)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada