LOCATION: Embassy A-E
THURSDAY, February 11, 2027 – 11:40 – 12:20pm
Mario Tenuta (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.), Professional Agrologist, is a Professor and Head of the Department of Soil Science at the University of Manitoba in Canada. His training includes a B.Sc. in Botany and Physical Geography (University of Toronto), an M.Sc. in Soil Fertility (University of Guelph), a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (University of Western Ontario), and Post-Doctoral research in Plant Nematology (University of California, Davis). Mario has recently completed his term as the Natural Science and Engineering Council/Western Grains Research Foundation/Fertilizer Canada Senior Industrial Research Chair in 4R Nutrient Stewardship (2020-2025). Previously, he was the Canada Research Chair in Applied Soil Ecology at the University of Manitoba (2007-2018). The research conducted by his team is advancing nitrogen fertilizer management practices to provide farmers and the agricultural industry with solutions to optimize the use of fertilizer nitrogen, reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, and improve soil health and crop productivity. A key feature of their program is conducting farm-based research, with particular attention to the outreach of findings to farmers, industry, and policymakers, all to the goal of positioning Canada on a path towards net-zero food production.
Enough of the 4Rs… Show Me the Data
We will focus on discussing results of field crop trials in Manitoba for yield, grain protein and environmental results from 4R nitrogen studies. The reasons for 4R practices not to show improved yields, why some 4R practices reduce N fertilizer losses will also be covered and nitrogen inhibitors can be incorporated into fertilizer plans without affecting profits will be discussed. Finally, we will debate why N rates seem higher than needed for most profitable production.