Philippe Seguin, PhD (Minnesota)
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Plant Science
Phone: 514-398-7855
Fax: 514-398-7897
Email

Research interests

Dr. Seguin conducts research on the management, physiology, and ecology of field crops. Current research projects include: 1) the development of legumes as a source of health-beneficial compounds; 2) the evaluation of new crop species and new crop uses (i.e., as source of nutraceuticals and biofuels) for eastern Canada; 3) the study of the evolution of specificity in the interactions between rhizobia and plants of the genus Trifolium; and 4) the study of alfalfa autotoxicity.

The development of legumes as a source of nutraceuticals

A nutraceutical can be defined as any substance that may be considered a food, or a food supplement (e.g., plant extracts) and provides medical or human health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Several compounds of plant origin including isoflavones, saponins, and tocopherols have been demonstrated to provide health benefits. The main objectives of our research program are: to determine the intra- and inter-specific variation in content of health-beneficial compounds to select cultivars with high concentrations, identify management and environmental factors affecting concentrations of health-beneficial compounds of field grown plants, and determine the possibility of using natural elicitors as a means of increasing concentrations of health-beneficial compounds. Gene regulation of isoflavone synthesis in soybean is also studied. This research is conducted with the goal of developing a new utilisation and market for legumes as a value added product for agricultural producers of eastern Canada.

The evaluation of new crop species for eastern Canada

Currently four species of perennial forage legumes are recommended in Quebec, including two for use in pastures: white clover and birdsfoot trefoil. However, these two species have several limitations including often a poor persistence. Our main objective here is to identify species with a greater persistence and which can tolerate conditions and stresses associated with pastures. We are also evaluating species that could be used as emergency crops upon winterkill of commonly used perennial species. Our program is currently evaluating the agronomic potential of Kura clover, pearl millet, berseem clover, and forage soybean. We are determining their adaptation, management requirements, and feeding value. Recently we also have initiated a research project evaluating the potential of grain amaranth production in eastern Canada.

Nodulation specificity and success in the Trifolium ambiguum-rhizobia symbiosis

Kura clover is a persistent rhizomatous forage legume originating from Eurasia. This species has very specific rhizobial requirements, specificity residing not only at the species level but also among ecotypes and plants of different ploidy levels. This specificity structure represents a unique opportunity to better understand the determinants of specificity and its evolution. This species also has potential as a persistent forage legume for temperate climates, but its use in areas outside its native range is currently limited by nodulation problems, which are directly linked to its complex rhizobial requirements. Our program aims at providing an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for specificity in this symbiosis. To do so, molecules involved in the communication process between symbiotic partners will be identified, and phylogeny and diversity of both symbionts determined, as well as physiological and ecological basis of current nodulation problems in areas of introduction.

Recent publications

Seguin P, Turcotte P, Tremblay G, Pageau D, Liu W. 2009. Tocopherols concentration and stability in early-maturing soybean genotypes. Agronomy Journal. 101(6):1153-1159.

Gélinas B, Seguin P. 2008. Evaluation of management practices for grain amaranth production in eastern Canada. Agronomy Journal. 100(2):344-351.

Seguin P. 2007. Kura clover forage yield contribution increases over time when seeded in mixture with grasses in southwestern Québec. Forage and Grazinglands. doi:10.1094/FG-2007-1217-02-RS.

Al-Tawaha AM, Seguin P, Smith DL, Bonnell RB. 2007. Irrigation level affects isoflavone concentrations of early maturing soya bean cultivars. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 193(4):238-246.

Gélinas B, Seguin P. 2007. Oxalate in grain amaranth. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 55(12):4789-4794.

Al-Tawaha AM, Seguin P. 2006. Effects of seeding date, row spacing and weeds on soybean isoflavone concentrations and other seed characteristics. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 86(4):1079-1082.

Al-Tawaha AM, Seguin P, Smith DL, Beaulieu C. 2006. Foliar application of elicitors alters isoflavone concentrations and other seed characteristics of field-grown soybean. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 86(3):677-684.

Seguin P, Zheng W. 2006. Phytoestrogens content of alfalfa cultivars grown in eastern Canada. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 86(5):765-771.

Laberge G, Seguin P, Peterson PR, Sheaffer CC, Ehlke NJ. 2005. Forage yield and species composition in years following Kura clover sod-seeding into grass swards. Agronomy Journal. 97(5):1352-1360.

Sivesind E, Seguin P. 2005. Effects of the environment, cultivar, maturity, and preservation method on red clover isoflavone concentration. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 53(16):6397-6402.