Jacynthe Masse

Image Jacynthe Masse
Scientist - Functional agroecology

The overarching theme of my research is to identify different ways of helping soil microorganisms to help us. These microorganisms perform a myriad of processes essential to the sustainable functioning of agroecosystems. A detailed understanding of these processes and of the interactions between plants, physical & chemical properties of soils, their microbiomes and of the agricultural landscape can allow us to identify practices that support soil and plant health as well as productivity while preserving or even improving the quality of agroecosystems.

Current research and/or projects

  • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal interactions with horticultural Brassicaceae crops
  • Biodiversity and multifunctionnality of soil microorganisms inhabiting riparian buffers. Project as part of the Québec living laboratory initiative in the Lac St-Pierre Region
  • Impacts of different cover crop strategies on the soil microbiome and GHG emissions within a biovigilance project on organic soils
  • Science, adoption and adaptation of pesticide rinsate biobeds to support Canadian agro-ecosystems resilience and protect water resources
  • Comparative current-use pesticides dynamics in three priority basins of Canada
  • Linking nutrient cycling and soil health in Canadian agroecosystems
  • Ensuring ecosystem productivity and resiliency by assessing the impact of trace metal contamination from manure on the potential for cyanobacterial and harmful algal blooms in fresh water bodies

Research and/or project statements

Understanding how agricultural-management practices, landscape architecture and soil properties shape soil microbiome in order to better understand agroecosystems functions and what influences them.

Identifying practices promoting soil microbiome which could be linked to climate change adaptation

Exploring links between soil microorganisms and nitrogen & carbon cycles to identify agricultural-management practices that could enhance carbon sequestration.

Studying biobeds as a tool for sustainable management of rinsate water

Professional activities / interests

  • Member of the Canadian Society of Soil Science (CSSS)
  • Co-chair of the CSSS’s Bid Committee for the 24th World Congress of Soil Science
  • Member of the CSSS’s pedology committee
  • Member of la société québécoise de la science du so

Education and awards

Education:

Ph.D. Foresterie, University of British Columbia | Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences, 2016 

M. Sc., Géographie, Université de Montréal | Département de géographie, 2011

B. Sc. Honor, Géographie environnementale, Université de Montréal | Département de géographie, 2009

Key publications

  1. Bouchard, É., Thivierge, M.-N., Leewis, M.-C., and Masse, J. L’effet du microbiome de la rhizosphère et de la phyllosphère sur la résilience des Fabaceae et Poaceae en situation de sécheresse. 89e Congrès annuel de l’Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada, May 9–13, 2022. Oral presentation, virtual.

    2022 - View publication details

  2. Bouchard, É., Thivierge, M.-N., and Masse, J. 2020. Une recette gagnante pour favoriser les mycorhizes. Column in the weekly magazine La Terre de chez nous, October 3, 2020. https://www.laterre.ca/du-secteur/chronique-cqpf/une-recette-gagnante-pour-favoriser-les-mycorhizes

    2020 - View publication details