soil amendments
organic soil amendments
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NORTHEASTERN CANADA (BioSoil North): A new project launched in June 2023 in Newfoundland and Labrador evaluating the impact of various amendment types (e.g., lime, biochar, fishwaste, fishmeal) on established and newly converted agricultural land from boreal forest on soil health, soil quality, nutrient acquisition and greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration and stabilization. BioSoil North has a dedicated webpage https://baarn.ca
Recent media releases on the BioSoil North project: Agricultural innovations in the age of climate change Agricultural innovations in the age of climate change | Waterloo News | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca) El cambio climatica lleva la agricultura al bosque boreal www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/somosagro/sostenibilidad/2023/12/03/cambio-climatico-lleva-agricultura-bosque-boreal/00031701604629379552985.htm |
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ONTARIO: A new project expected to launch in late 2024 that works with a local alpaca farm. The research will focus on using alpaca manure and waste fibre as a soil conditioner and its impact on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions.
PAN-PROVINCIAL: A parallel study in Quebec and Ontario was launched in May 2018 to determine the impact of biosolids, composted food waste, and anaerobic digestate on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. This project was completed in 2021 and research outcomes are in the publication phase.
AFRICA: Food wastage is a current and major challenge globally. Our research in Tanzania closed the loop between food wastage in urban areas, composting food waste and its use as a soil amendment. This project was completed in 2021.
PAN-PROVINCIAL: A parallel study in Quebec and Ontario was launched in May 2018 to determine the impact of biosolids, composted food waste, and anaerobic digestate on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. This project was completed in 2021 and research outcomes are in the publication phase.
AFRICA: Food wastage is a current and major challenge globally. Our research in Tanzania closed the loop between food wastage in urban areas, composting food waste and its use as a soil amendment. This project was completed in 2021.
Biochar
We completed multiple laboratory and field studies on biochar in southern Ontario using hardwood or softwood biochars. The aim of these studies was to 1) determine the impact of biochar on crop productivity and soil fertility on different soil textures; 2) determine the effect of a changing climate on soil health and crop productivity in biochar amended soil; 3) evaluate how biochar affects soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. This project was the first and largest replicated field trial in Ontario which was completed in 2020. All research outcomes have been published.
The BioSoil North (see above) also incorporates a biochar component.
NEW PROJECT FOR 2024:
We just received an OMAFRA-OAFRI grant working with a farmer on biochar production. This is the first phase of the project. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of pyrolyzer construction and operation and the second and third phases of this project.
We are currently seeking new funds to further our understanding of the interactions between soil and biochar. Please inquire with Prof. Oelbermann if you are interested in an industrial partnership.
The BioSoil North (see above) also incorporates a biochar component.
NEW PROJECT FOR 2024:
We just received an OMAFRA-OAFRI grant working with a farmer on biochar production. This is the first phase of the project. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of pyrolyzer construction and operation and the second and third phases of this project.
We are currently seeking new funds to further our understanding of the interactions between soil and biochar. Please inquire with Prof. Oelbermann if you are interested in an industrial partnership.
sustainable agriculture & agroecology
biostimulants for crop productivity
In association with Algoma University and University of Guelph, this project launched in May 2021 and focuses on the use of biostimulants is an approach that uses commercial microbial innoculants in agriculture. The innoculants help improve soil health and increase crop yields in intensive agricultural production systems. The effectiveness of commercial innoculants however is not known and may replace indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Soil contains indigenous AMF that can be used as a natural source. Our project determines whether on-farm indigenous AMF are more effective and economical, safe and sustainable than commercial inoculants. This project was completed in 2022 and research outcomes are in preparation for publication.
perennial Land-use Systems & agroforestry
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS: We recently completed a study on greenhouse gas emissions from short-rotation coppice biomass plantations (see Lutes et al. 2016 & 2019). Prof. Oelbermann was featured on CBC Radio KW's Morning Show discussing second generation bioenergy crops: "Corn not the only biofuel for Ontario's new ethanol plan, says researcher"
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/biofuel-ontario-ethanol-policy-waterloo-1.4436385
We started 3-year in-depth study on greenhouse gas emissions, impact of freeze-thaw on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in short-rotation willow and herbacous grasses (switchgrass & miscanthus) in September 2019. Field and laboratory work for this project have been completed and we are now analyzing data and compiling research outcomes into multiple publications (see Osei et al.).
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/biofuel-ontario-ethanol-policy-waterloo-1.4436385
We started 3-year in-depth study on greenhouse gas emissions, impact of freeze-thaw on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in short-rotation willow and herbacous grasses (switchgrass & miscanthus) in September 2019. Field and laboratory work for this project have been completed and we are now analyzing data and compiling research outcomes into multiple publications (see Osei et al.).
RIPARIAN SYSTEMS: Over the past 25 years, Prof. Oelbermann and her graduate students have worked at a riparian forest that was rehabilitated in 1985. To date we evaluated organic matter and nutrient transfers between from land to water, organic matter retention within the stream, changes in canopy light penetration and soil respiration. We just completed our latest research on spatial and temporal carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions and its relationship to soil nutrient content and vegetation composition. Outcomes from the terrestrial component of this research has been published. We are now compiling data on research from the aquatic component of the riparian zone with a forthcoming publication anticipated in late 2024.
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TROPICAL AGROFORESTRY: We are currently conducting a study in Costa Rica that evaluates the impact of biodiversity on resilience to climate change on tropical agroforestry systems. This study is based on interviews conducted with Costa Rican farmers. We are currently assimilating the information gathered from the interviews.
Professor Oelbermann was featured on Canada's national broadcaster CBC news on the radio broadcast Your World Tonight https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-8-your-world-tonight/clip/16097824-hezbollah-leader-killed-freedom-corner-the-rising-price and on The National https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/coffee-prices-climate-1.7336813 on the rising prices of coffee and climate change.
accredited canadian laboratory
The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) in addition to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council have provided funding for laboratory infrastructure. SED is an accredited CFI laboratory that is able to receive samples from outside of the University of Waterloo for analysis.
Please contact Prof. Oelbermann (moelbermann @ uwaterloo.ca) for further information on our analytical services and costs. These services are available for domestic (Canadian) samples only.
Please contact Prof. Oelbermann (moelbermann @ uwaterloo.ca) for further information on our analytical services and costs. These services are available for domestic (Canadian) samples only.
Website last updated November 2024