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.

2021-2022 • Fruit production

Testing a wind machine as a method of protecting against flower frost in cultivated wild blueberries

The objective of this project is to measure the performance of a portable wind machine.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2021-2023 • Fruit production

Improve the environmental conditions of cultivated wild blueberries using cultural practices relating to tillage, water management and fertilization

The results of this project will provide tools to support producers and ensure the competitiveness and development of Wild Boreal Blueberry and organic blueberry production sectors, two of Quebec’s specialties.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2020-2022 • Fruit production

Pilot project on the effectiveness of methods of protecting against fruit frost in cultivated wild blueberries

The purpose of this pilot project is to evaluate various methods of protecting fruit from freezing in wild blueberry crops for the fresh market.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2019-2020 • Fruit production

Investigating key physicochemical and environmental factors that could account for variable lowbush blueberry yields

As part of this project, the soil water status at a chosen blueberry farm will be monitored at 40 spots over the course of the production year. We will seek to identify the relationship between water extraction, physicochemical and environmental factors, and yield levels that could help explain yield variability.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2017-2018 • Fruit production

Exploring the potential of thermal imaging data acquired by drone for the detection of water stress in lowbush blueberries

Exploration of the potential of detecting water stress in lowbush blueberries using a thermal infrared imaging sensor installed on a drone.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2017-2019 • Fruit production

Cultural strategies for haskap berries: improving orchard productivity

The aim of this project is to improve the productivity of haskap orchards by promoting more efficient water and nutrient uptake.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2017-2018 • Fruit production

Analyzing sap flow to assess water absorption dynamics in apple trees

The hypothesis was that it should be possible to measure sap flow in apple trees and correlate it with soil water conditions and the weather.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin

Banded controlled-release and conventional fertilizer in horticultural production under plastic mulch

The aim of this project was to field-test sound irrigation practices and band application of various types of fertilizers at ridging time to eliminate fertigation and increase the efficiency of fertilizer and water use under plastic mulch.

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Carl Boivin
Christine Landry
2015-2019 • Fruit production

Sound water management for lowbush blueberries under fluctuating and changing climatic conditions

Using sound irrigation management to control frost and water stress in lowbush blueberry helps stabilize yield while minimizing environmental impacts.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2015-2017 • Fruit production

Effects of various irrigation strategies on nutrient uptake in organically grown June-bearing strawberries grown in beds covered with black plastic mulch

The project was conducted at IRDA’S Organic Agriculture Innovation Platform. Strawberries (Cleary cultivar) were produced in beds covered with black plastic mulch.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2015-2016 • Fruit production

Productivity of healthy looking plants that have never received nitrogen fertilizer and that are located in a blueberry field infected by stunt disease

In highbush blueberry fields where stunt disease has been detected, plants that have never received nitrogen fertilizer are more vigorous and homogeneous than plants that have received nitrogen fertilizer.

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Carl Boivin
Christine Landry

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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