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.
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
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
Galinsoga management in organic vegetable production
The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of different control strategies.
Researcher: Maryse Leblanc
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.
Identifying the causes of strawberry decline disease with a view to developing an integrated control strategy
This project involved an exhaustive survey of viruses, phytoplasma, fungi, and nematodes in nurseries and strawberry fields to determine the exact causes of strawberry decline disease in Québec.
Researcher: Richard Hogue
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