$2-M State-of-the-Art Greenhouse Officially Opens on Campus

Posted April 25, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 25, 2003 2003-04-12-AG

$2-M State-of-the-Art Greenhouse Officially Opens on Campus

Today a $2-million greenhouse expansion that will advance University of
Saskatchewan plant research and teaching plus help reduce the time and cost
involved in developing new crop varieties was officially opened.

"This new state-of-the-art facility will more than double the amount of
agricultural greenhouse space on campus, greatly benefitting our researchers
and students and building on our excellent national and international
reputation in agricultural research," said U of S President Peter MacKinnon.

The expansion was funded with more than $682,000 from the Canada Foundation
for Innovation and $1.28 million from the Agriculture Building Trust Fund
comprised of donations from alumni, students, industry and the public during
the 1980s.

The project was one component of a $15.24-million package of College of
Agriculture infrastructure upgrades announced in the fall of 2000.

"This research infrastructure will serve as a magnet for recruiting faculty
and students to the region, and help facilitate new collaborations with
numerous researchers at academic institutions, within and outside of
Saskatchewan," said CFI President David Strangway.

"The need for additional greenhouse facilities is a sign of the expanding
plant breeding, biotechnology and plant pathology programs both within our
College of Agriculture and in the surrounding research and commercial
community," said Ernie Barber, Dean of the College of Agriculture.

"Until now, our greenhouse facilities were not sufficient to meet the
teaching, research and service commitments of the College and there were
waiting lists for space."

Barber notes that the largest single use of U of S agricultural greenhouses
is for propagation of plant breeding material - an activity that can
substantially reduce the time and cost required to develop new crop
varieties. The greenhouses are used for more than 20 crop breeding programs.


Located across from the Canadian Light Source synchrotron on Perimeter Road,
the new complex will increase agricultural greenhouse space to more than
20,000 square feet (6,666 square metres), including a "glass house" with
extra-wide panes of tempered glass that result in a 10-per-cent increase in
light.

"This will mean it will take 10-per-cent less time to grow a crop," says
plant sciences professor Doug Waterer. "Consultants who work internationally
on greenhouses tell us that our new greenhouses have the most light of any
they've seen."

This glass house will also enable researchers to simulate the types of
problems encountered by Saskatchewan's commercial greenhouse growers. "For
instance, we have begun research comparing organic fertilizers versus
standard fertilizers," says Waterer. "This is research we wouldn't be
capable of doing if we didn't have this facility."
There will also be 4,800 square feet (1,600 square metres) of
polyethylene-covered greenhouse space equipped with lights, in-floor heat
and flood floors that will assist in teaching students about commercial
greenhouse management.

"Previously we didn't have enough space to effectively teach greenhouse
management to our students. Now we can devote half this greenhouse space to
student projects," says Waterer, adding "We're teaching Saskatchewan's
future greenhouse managers - a luxury we didn't have until now."

Greenhouse space is also critical to cutting-edge research into plant
stress, disease control, fertility and water management, work that is
important for crop development. The expansion will include a 400-square-feet
(133 square metres) laboratory for research into plant diseases.

Professors in a number of plant sciences courses use the greenhouses to
demonstrate principles of greenhouse crop production, as well as to grow
plant materials for their classes. There are also more than 20 master's and
doctoral projects carried out in the greenhouses.

The greenhouses are also used for Extension Division courses, the University
of Saskatchewan Horticulture Club, and College displays and educational
functions.
The CFI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the
Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in
Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other non-profit
institutions.

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For more information, contact:

Doug Waterer
Professor, U of S Department of Plant Sciences
(306) 966-5857
http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/index.html

Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications
Office of the Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research

Douglas Lauriault
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3193
www.innovation.ca