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.

2020-2023 • Market gardening

Evaluation of the agronomic performance of 10 broccoli varieties under commercial production

This project aims to limit the impacts of climate change on broccoli crops by evaluating and documenting the tolerance to climatic stress of 10 broccoli varieties intended for the fresh market.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin

Île d’Orléans farmers rally to tackle water shortage

This project aims to explore and experiment new approaches and ways to preserve, develop, and enhance the MRC’s bio-food sector, and reduce or eliminate the water deficit on the island.

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
Stéphane Godbout
2019-2022 • Market gardening

Improving potato crop water-use efficiency by developing a deeper understanding of cultivars

The selection of a cultivar should be an essential element in any sound irrigation management strategy. This project aims to optimize water use in potato farming.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2019-2022 • Market gardening

Improving potato crop water-use efficiency through cropping system modifications

Modifying the cropping system design is an effective way to improve potato crop water-use efficiency and, thereby, lessen the risk of crops experiencing water stress.

Researchers: Carl Boivin Luc Belzile

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2018-2020 • Market gardening

Developing an organic farming protocol for young vegetable shoots: a multidisciplinary approach

This project will help lead to the development of an organic farming system to grow baby greens.

Researchers: Caroline Côté Annabelle Firlej Carl Boivin Maryse Leblanc

Read more about the project

Caroline Côté
Annabelle Firlej
Carl Boivin
Maryse Leblanc

Quantitative and qualitative water management in crops

Designing and teaching a course for agricultural consultants.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2017 • Market gardening

A study on the relationship between thermal imaging data collected by drone and agrometerological indicators of water stress in potato crops

The aim of this project was to study the relationship between thermal imaging data collected by drone and agrometerological indicators of water stress in potato crops.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2017-2018 • Market gardening

Potato fertigation using a drip irrigation system

The aim of this project was to leverage the efficiency of drip irrigation and splitting nitrogen inputs into multiple applications to reduce total nitrogen inputs per unit produced and provide better economic and environmental alternatives to conventional irrigation.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin

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

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2016-2018 • Market gardening

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

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2016-2017 • Market gardening

Improving irrigation management with accurate measurements of effective precipitation

The project consisted of manufacturing and testing a portable rain simulator to estimate, under various conditions, what proportion of irrigation water a crop is able to use.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2015-2017 • Market gardening

Developing decision support tools for integrated potato irrigation management

The aim of this project was to set up a support service to equip producers and others in the industry to improve their irrigation management.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

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

F