Research Projects

By enhancing our understanding: 1) of the nitrogen supply dynamics associated with the use of mixed green and farmyard manure applications, and 2) of the timeline of nitrogen uptake by garlic; we hope to fine-tune fertilization strategies so they meet the needs of garlic crops, while minimizing phosphorus accumulation and nitrogen leaching.

Based on previous work conducted at IRDA and our team’s expertise, this project looks to finalize the development of a robust and cost-effective swine slurry bioconversion system.

Exclusion nets have proven to be effective against nearly all of these insect pests, which means that it’s possible to develop apple growing practices in Québec that are not only neonicotinoid free, but also devoid of all pesticides (including acaricides, given that mite problems are a consequence of broad-spectrum insecticide use). Although the net exclusion microsystem studied in Québec since 2012 has demonstrated its effectiveness in controlling insect pests, some issues remain to be studied before it can be unreservedly recommended. Among these are the handling times for the nets, i.e., installation/removal and opening/closing, and the system’s profitability and durability over the long haul for various cultivars.

Developing a fast and sensitive molecular detection methodology able to accurately identify raspberry and strawberry viruses.

Evaluating and developing a high-throughput sequencing-based diagnostic procedure to identify pathogenic organisms.

Development of a mating disruption method to control two cranberry pests.

Biological control of the obliquebanded leafroller in orchards where mating disruption is being used against the codling moth.

Development of optimized cleaning methods that are readily measurable with an effective real-time indicator.

Development of weeding strategies and methods that will reduce weed pressure on carrot crops, especially row-crop carrots, which appear to be the most problematic.

Three-year project on an array of mitigation protocols to reduce the application of glyphosate in a field crop system (corn–soybean–grains).

Experimenting narrow-row crop weed control strategy on three crops: green beans, peas, and soybeans.

Acquiring the knowledge needed to develop an attract-and-kill treatment to control current and future stinkbug populations in Québec apple orchards.

Developing a Codling moth control management tool based on an improved formulation of Virosoft CP4.

Project to quantify the long-term (60+ years) severity of erosion of organic horticultural soils.

Method to monitor and control telluric pathogens affecting potatoes that takes into account the interactions between these pathogens and other soil microbiome organisms.