Canadian canola growers are a major step closer to a production technology breakthrough.

Winnipeg-based Brett-Young Seeds announced today that is has received registration from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for its BioBoost canola seed inoculant.

BioBoost is Brett-Young Seeds’ trade name for Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), a naturally occurring rhizobacteria.

“This is about nature being used to enhance nature,” says Brett-Young Seeds CEO Lloyd Dyck. “BioBoost is a similar concept to using nitrogen-fixing bacteria in pulse crops. PGPR enhances canola yields by improving canola growth.”

Brett-Young Seeds developed BioBoost over a three year period with $450,000 in support from the Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI). Tests have shown yield improvements of an average of 8% over canola that was not inoculated. BioBoost also exhibited no negative crop impacts.

“PGPR is new to canola, but it’s already widely used as a growth promotant in crops like potatoes and radishes,” says Dyck. “We believe that the use of inoculants will become a routine technology in canola production in the future, and we are delighted to be the first in Canada to introduce it.”

BioBoost is expected to be available commercially in time for the planting of the 2006 canola crop. During 2005, Brett-Young Seeds will continue to fine-tune PGPR inoculation methods, and familiarize growers with its use. The anticipated method of application is on-farm seed treatment.

Dyck notes that BioBoost is the first of many innovations flowing from Brett-Young Seeds’ expanded commitment to research and development. In 2003, the company opened a new 9,600 sq. ft. research and development facility in Winnipeg. The facility features 3,600 sq. ft. of laboratory space and more than 6,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space.

Ten R&D staff are currently working on PGPR and canola hybrids at the facilities. Brett-Young Seeds, based in Winnipeg, has served the needs of Canadian farmers since 1934. Today, the company researches, develops, processes and markets the highest quality canola, forage and grass seed.

ARDI supports innovative research that makes a difference to Manitobans. ARDI funds are available through the Agricultural Policy Framework Implementation Agreement entered into by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.