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.

Results for Market gardening 2017
2014-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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2015-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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2014-2017 • Market gardening

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

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Christine Landry
2014-2017 • Market gardeningField crops

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

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Caroline Côté
2013-2018 • Market gardening

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

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Christine Landry
2016-2017 • Market gardening

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

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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

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Carl Boivin
2017-2019 • Market gardening

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

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Annabelle Firlej
2016-2018 • Market gardening

Galinsoga management in organic vegetable production

The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of different control strategies.

Researcher: Maryse Leblanc

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Maryse Leblanc
2014-2017 • Market gardening

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

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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

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Caroline Côté
2014-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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2017-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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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

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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

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