Salt-tolerant plants improving coastal resiliency
From the Springboard Content Lab
A collaborative research project in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, has developed protocols for growing plants that can tolerate salt in the soil, helping a Lahave-based nursery meet client needs for sustainability while ensuring profitability and competitiveness in the market.
The research was an industry collaboration conducted for the Rising Tide Nursery at the Acadia University K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre. The project was supported through the Invest Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program.
The nursery supplied healthy plants and researchers developed protocols for germination and growth of three salt-tolerant plant species: native salt marsh plant species:
- Smooth Cordgrass
- Saltgrass
- Marsh Elder
With expertise from propagation specialist, Kendra Sampson , the project identified the best practices to achieve successful germination and growth by optimizing seedling production efficiency, consistency, and reliability.
By optimizing seedling production efficiency, consistency, and reliability, Rising Tide Nursery can supply healthy plants to support restoration projects. These practices will contribute to the recovery and re-establishment of coastal ecosystems.
Supporting coastal ecosystems
The research will contribute to the recovery and re-establishment of coastal ecosystems.
This project created a protocol that increased germination success rates and seedling survival of these plant species and determined the optimal soil mixture.
By optimizing seedling production efficiency, consistency, and reliability, Rising Tide Nursery can supply healthy plants to support restoration projects. These practices will contribute to the recovery and re-establishment of coastal ecosystems.
The increased seedling production efficiency, consistency, and reliability, resulting from higher germination rates and less plant loss.
Acadia University Office of Industry and Community Engagement is a member of the Springboard Network of post-secondary institutions promoting research commercialization and industry collaborations in Atlantic Canada. If you’re a company that requires research, reach out to Leigh Huestis to find out how we can help.