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.

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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

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Carl Boivin
2017-2018 • Market gardening

Field trials on swede midge mating disruption

This project will compare the ability of various pheromone mixes to prevent male swede midges from locating females.

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2017-2018 • Fruit production

Upgrading the expertise of new apple orchard consultants

This online training platform will help improve technical support for Québec apple growers by furthering the training of new consultants.

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Daniel Cormier
Gérald Chouinard
2017-2019 • Field crops

Economic analysis of planting flower strips along soybean fields

Economic analysis of using flower strips around soybean fields to serve as a reservoir for aphid species attacked by Pandora neoaphidis.

Researcher: Luc Belzile

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2017-2020 • Fruit production

Impact of tree growth and rain on fungicide efficacy against apple scab

The aim of this project is to determine the combined impact on fungicide efficacy of rain and the appearance of new leaves to more accurately identify how long treatments remain effective.

Researcher: Vincent Philion

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Vincent Philion
2017-2020 • Fruit production

Improving fire blight detection, prediction, and control

The main aim of this project is to test a bacterial detection technique developed in Austria that consists of quantifying inoculum carried by bees.

Researcher: Vincent Philion

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Vincent Philion
2017-2019 • Livestock productionField crops

Validating tools used to reduce soil phosphorus saturation by monitoring soil tests and phosphorus loads in an intensive livestock region

The aim of this project is to show that efforts made to better distribute phosphorus on the land are effective and that the indicators used to determine phosphorus saturation thresholds are correlated with soil phosphorus balance and dynamics.

Researcher: Marc-Olivier Gasser

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Marc-Olivier Gasser
2017-2019 • Livestock production

Characterizing GHG emission sources from covered pig manure storage facilities with biogas treatment systems

This project will draw recommendations to reduce fugitive emissions through technical means or agricultural practices.

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2016-2018 • Market gardening

Impact of irrigation system management and cultivar on nitrogen use by potatoes under commercial production conditions

The goal of this project was to measure the impact of irrigation management on nitrogen uptake and available soil nitrogen on several cultivars under commercial production conditions.

Researcher: Christine Landry

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Christine Landry
2017-2018 • Fruit production

Arthropod resistance to pesticides: literature review of resistant pests and resistance tests

IRDA drew up a list of insects and mites in Québec known to be or likely to become resistant to pesticides.

Researchers: Daniel Cormier Annabelle Firlej

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Daniel Cormier
Annabelle Firlej
2017-2019 • Market gardening

Cost-effectiveness of irrigation on Québec potato farms

The aim of this project is to evaluate this aspect of potato production economics to assist producers and their advisors.

Researcher: Luc Belzile

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2017-2019 • Livestock production

Low GHG emission strategies for Quebec dairy farms

The aim of this project was to identify manure management strategies that boost productivity on Québec dairy farms and reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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Stéphane Godbout
2016-2019

Watershed monitoring in Saint-Zotique, Québec

The IRDA team is monitoring the hydrology of the three main watersheds in Saint-Zotique.

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Aubert Michaud, retraité
2016-2017

Monitoring and modeling of the Lac Boivin watershed, Granby, Québec

The project consisted of monitoring the hydrology of the main watercourses flowing into Lac Boivin to determine their flow rates and sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus inputs to the lake.

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Aubert Michaud, retraité
2016-2018

GIS tool kit to support municipal drain management in preparation for climate change

The purpose of this project was to develop a set of spatially referenced tools for watercourse managers and those in charge of planning sustainable, environmentally friendly improvements to water systems.

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Aubert Michaud, retraité

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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