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.
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
Large-scale use of trichogramma wasps against the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) in fresh and processing sweet corn
The goal of this project is to boost the number of fresh and processing sweet corn producers in Québec using trichogramma to control European corn borer.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
Galinsoga management in organic vegetable production
The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of different control strategies.
Researcher: Maryse Leblanc
Impact of green manure and organic fertilizers on the yields and safety of organic carrots grown on muck soil
Plots were set up at the Organic Agriculture Innovation Platform in St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Québec.
Researcher: Caroline Côté
Control measures to reduce clogging in a St. Lawrence River water treatment process using slow sand filtration
To manage clogging risks, the project automated pumping based on water turbidity and cover the filter to prevent light from entering the water and thus reduce algal bloom.
Researcher: Caroline Côté
Control strategies against leek moth in organic production
This project aims to evaluate effective and economically viable control strategies for leek moth that are healthy for both humans and ecosystems.
Impact of composite hedges on natural enemies and pollinators in an organic polyculture system in Québec
This project will provide a better understanding of interactions between a vegetable polyculture system and hedges composed of shrubs and perennials in order to enhance the impact of beneficial insects on vegetable crops.
Improve the efficiency of water use in different potato cultivars
The aim of the project was to measure the performance and water requirements of eight potato cultivars under commercial production conditions.
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