Nova Scotia Agricultural College
Research & Graduate Studies E-newsletter           February 2012 
Internal Deadlines

SSHRC

Institutional Grant: March 1st 


NSERC
Interaction Grants: Ongoing
Engage Grants: Ongoing
CRD: Ongoing
Strategic Project Grants:March 1st
Idea to Innovation: April 2nd
CREATE (LOI): April 16th   

Events

An International Workshop on Opportunities for Precision Agriculture Techologies 

Feb. 23-24, 2012

nsac.ca/pa/events

NSAC Campus

 

For more information, contact:

Dr. Qamar Zaman

(902) 893-5426 

qzaman@nsac.ca

 

 

We welcome any suggestions or comments regarding this newsletter.   

Please send to:

Sara Murphy 

R&D Coordinator

scmurphy@nsac.ca

(902) 893-6028 

This is our second edition of the Research & Graduate Studies e-newsletter.  Our intention is to bring to you the latest information regarding research and graduate studies at NSAC in a timely fashion. Enjoy and stay tuned for the next edition!
Turfgrass Research Highlights

 

Stephen Kelloway, an M.Sc. student from our Environmental Sciences Department, has been working closely with the Atlantic Turfgrass Research Foundation (ATRF).  Stephen is investigating the potential use of compost tea as an alternative to currently used fungicides for the control of turfgrass diseases, especially dollar spot disease.

 

With the recent move in Nova Scotia to ban pesticide use, the turfgrass industry is now looking for potential green methods for controlling disease in their highly manicured industry and compost tea is one of these potential alternatives. Kelloway2

Photo: Stephen and Dr. Prithiviraj at the Mountain Golf Club, Valley, NS. 

 

Stephen along with his supervisor Dr. Prithiviraj (Dept. of Environmental Sciences) work closely with member golf courses and superintendents to study issues they are faced with in trying to control this disease. They currently conduct research at the Mountain Golf Club in Valley, NS, New Ashburn Golf Club in Fall River, NS, and the Old Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax, NS.  

 


The objectives of the study include:

  •  Determine whether the incidence or severity of dollar spot disease is diminished by the application of compost tea prepared from a variety of sources
  • Determine if compost tea imparts resistance by modulating physiological changes in the turfgrass
  • Develop a research based understanding of the compost teas function within the turfgrass that will improve the use of compost tea by turfgrass managers in Atlantic Canada

 

Working closely with industry allows for the experimental plots to be exposed directly to the everyday practices and stresses that turf must endure throughout the playing season. It also allows for the research team to gain valuable firsthand experience from the superintendents who know their courses better than anyone else. Working with industry has allowed Stephen to develop an experimental design that tests the compost tea in areas that the industry knows are problematic. It also provides an opportunity to ask questions and get good quality information regarding turfgrass management here in the Atlantic Provinces. For Stephen, it has personally given him the opportunity to see firsthand disease symptoms and turfgrass management challenges that he couldn't have learned without the industry co-operation. 

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) 2012

 

Instructions

1. If you are not already registered, obtain a log-on code from the NSERC on-line system

2. Complete all sections of NSERC Form 202 Part I according to the instructions outlined in the NSERC USRA booklet online.  Form 202 must be completed on-line, no other versions will be accepted.

3. Your proposed supervisor must complete the new electronic version of Form 202 Part II. To access your Form 202, your must provide your proposed supervisor with your reference number provided by the on-line system.

4. Once completed, Part I and II of Form 202 must be printed, signed and submitted to the Research and Graduate Studies Office along with the additional information outlined below.

5. Students must ensure that official transcripts, for all post-secondary institutions attended, are sent directly to the Research & Graduate Studies Office.

6. Two academic references are necessary for all applicants. The reference forms provided should be completed by the referees and then forwarded directly, by the referee, to the Research & Graduate Studies Office.

7. You are also required to include: 

- a resume (include your research experience and extra-curricular activities that demonstrate communication and leadership skills);

- a letter of application outlining why you are applying for the award, how an award will contribute to your short-term and long-term career plans and the role of the NSERC USRA in helping you to meet your future goals;

- a completed research questionnaire form (two page maximum).  Complete applications must be submitted to the Research & Graduate Studies Office, Cumming Hall no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012.

 

If you have questions regarding the NSERC USRA awards, please contact Heather Hughes, Manager of Research & Graduate Studies, at hhughes@nsac.ca.

M.Sc. News

Admission to Candidacy Exam   

Margaret Eriavbe

"Management of Hawkweed (Hieracium spp.) in Wild Blueberry Fields on Prince Edward Island"
Tuesday, February 21st, 10:00 am    Cox 160

 

Thesis Defense  

Melissa Wiseman
"Evaluation of Tasco® as a Candidate Prebiotic in Broiler Chickens"
Friday, February 24th, 9:00 am    Haley 112 

 

Admission to Candidacy Exam
Mark Roop

"Mummy berry disease (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (Reade) Honey) Sensitivity and Resistance Mechanisms on Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)"

Thursday, March 1, 3:00 pm, Haley 112

 

Admission to Candidacy Exam
Prabahar Ravichandran

"Assessing Alternative Option for Energy Cost Reduction in Greenhouse Industries"

Friday, March 2, 11:00 am, Haley 112