Environment and Agriculture Technology Lab
Growing innovation through plant science
At NSCC’s Environmental and Agricultural Technologies Lab (EATLab) located at the NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus, researchers and students are helping Nova Scotia farmers meet the challenges of a changing climate.
In a province where agriculture is shaped by unpredictable weather, late spring frosts and evolving consumer demands, the EATLab is using biotechnology to strengthen food and forest systems. One of their most innovative projects is a partnership with the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia to develop a reliable, climate-resilient Balsam fir using advanced tissue culture techniques.
Balsam fir is the foundation of Nova Scotia’s $80-million Christmas tree industry. Known for its strong scent and natural symmetry, the species is well-loved by buyers and growers alike. But as the climate shifts, so too do the growing conditions. “We’re working to identify seedlings that are not only beautiful, but also climate-resilient,” says lead researcher Adele Bunbury-Blanchette. Using tissue culture, the team can clonally propagate hundreds of trees from a single seed with desirable traits, such as strong needle retention or a late bud break to avoid frost damage.
Over the past year, the EATLab has successfully taken 50 unique genetic lines through several complex stages of tissue culture: growing callus (undifferentiated tissue), triggering somatic embryogenesis to produce embryos, cryopreserving samples in liquid nitrogen and germinating seedlings for nursery and field trials.
For students, it’s a rare chance to work hands-on with cutting-edge plant science and make a real impact. “I was inspired learning about tissue culture,” says student Tatijana Hayes. “To actually work on it instead of just seeing it is really meaningful. It’s wild how something so small in a Petri dish can make such a big difference, it feels like we’re literally saving Christmas, one tree at a time!”
This project is just one example of how the EATLab supports rural economies, environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation – growing the future of agriculture through science, collaboration and applied learning.
“Partnering with the EATLab has been instrumental in driving innovation across our industry. Their science-based approach and commitment to applied research have helped us advance critical areas such as tissue culture propagation and genetic preservation, efforts that directly support the long-term productivity and resilience of Nova Scotia’s Christmas tree sector. Together, we’re developing the tools and knowledge needed to build a more sustainable and future-ready Christmas tree industry here in Nova Scotia.”
- Brittany Frenette, General Manager, Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia
