Research Projects
Each year, IRDA's R&D Team conducts more than one hundred research projects in sustainable agriculture. What's more, IRDA is working with Quebec's key agricultural stakeholders to find concrete solutions.
Release of trichogramma wasps by drone, a new approach to the control of the European corn borer in processing sweet corn
Evaluation of the potential of drones to optimize trichogramma releases against the European corn borer on processing sweet corn in Québec.
Impact of irrigation system management and cultivar on nitrogen use by potatoes under commercial production conditions
The goal of this project was to measure the impact of irrigation management on nitrogen uptake and available soil nitrogen on several cultivars under commercial production conditions.
Researcher: Christine Landry
Integrated approach to nitrogen fertilization for profitable organic potato production and a balanced phosphorus budget
There is a great need to test green manure as a main source of nitrogen for potatoes as they help to maintain soil quality and control weeds.
Researcher: Christine Landry
Assessment of weed control products applied along the edge of plastic mulch in organic agriculture
A series of herbicides has been tested along the edge of the plastic mulch.
Researcher: Maryse Leblanc
Selection and management of legume intercrops in organic vegetable production
This project proposes ways of using legume intercrops to control vegetable pests (insects, diseases, and weeds) while increasing soil productivity and quality and economic yields.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
Biological control of leek moth through the release of trichogramma wasps in organic leek production in Québec
This project as aimed at comparing the efficacy of two parasites (T. brassicae and T. ostriniae) on leek moth.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
Control strategies for swede midge in organic production
This project evaluated effective and economically viable control strategies for swede midge that are healthy for both humans and the ecosystem.
Control of the striped cucumber beetle in organic cucurbit production
This project determined the efficacy of various pest control products on the striped cucumber beetle on organic cucurbit crops.
Potential of a flowering plant mix to encourage natural enemies of caterpillar pests on crucifers (cabbage family)
This three-year project looked at optimal ways to use a mix of flowering plants against caterpillar pests of crucifers.
Understanding and integrating a novel technique to promote depletion of weed seed banks: How biofumigation affects different types of seed dormancy and weed ecology
Biofumigation could be an attractive option for increasing the mortality of dormant seeds.
Researcher: Maryse Leblanc
Assessing the potential of using granulated potato residues to produce animal feed, fertilizers, and energy
Managing potato residues is therefore a big challenge, which will only increase with the enforcement of the Québec Residual Materials Waste Management Policy.
Researcher: Christine Landry
Effect of legumes, manure, and compost on soil nitrogen dynamics and microbial diversity under organic production
Using a split-split-plot design, this study tested three variables: soil tillage, crop rotation in organic production, and fertilization with manure or compost.
Researcher: Caroline Côté
NPK fertilizer trials for beets on mineral soils in Québec
This project was aimed at determining the nutrient needs of beets based on soil texture and phosphorus and potassium levels under Québec growing conditions.
Researcher: Christine Landry
Adapting quantitative detection methods for determining silver scurf injury thresholds both in the soil and on seed potatoes to model potential economic losses
The fungal pathogen Helminthosporium solani causes silver scurf, a disease that is hard to detect, both in the soil and on harvested potatoes.
Researcher: Richard Hogue
Optimizing methods of installing and maintaining commercial paper mulch
The purpose of the project was to develop techniques and tools for maintaining paper mulch during crop growth.
Researcher: Carl Boivin
The solutions developed by IRDA aim to...
Ensure the sustainability
and quality of soil, water, and air
Protect the health and well-being
of local communities by improving the quality of crop and livestock production, with an emphasis on animal welfare
Safeguard the economic viability
of crop and livestock production