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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Experts
Large-scale use of codling moth mating disruption in Quebec orchards
The aim of our project was to increase the acreage on which mating disruption is used against the codling moth in all of Québec’s apple-growing regions.
Researcher: Daniel Cormier
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.
Evaluating the use of flower strips in a biological and integrated pest control program at an ornamental nursery
As part of an integrated pest control program, the company Les Serres Rosaire Pion & fils launched an innovative project on the use of flower strips in potted perennial production.
Posters on integrated fruit production for strawberry, raspberry, and highbush blueberry crops
IRDA produced posters to help producers and extension agents choose pest and disease control strategies that promote the use of IPM.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
A study on the link between spotted wing drosophila populations, crop damage, and yield losses
This project helped to determine if there is a significant correlation between the number of adult spotted wing drosophila captured and yield losses observed in the field.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
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
Selecting low-risk insecticides to control cranberry weevil on cranberry farms
The aim of this two-year project was to determine the efficacy of various pesticides in the field.
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
Detecting spores of Pucciniastrum geopertianum, the fungus that causes blueberry witches’ broom rust
The aim of the project was to determine whether the witches’ broom symptom on blueberries is really caused by the rust Pucciniastrum geopertianum, which attacks balsam.
Researcher: Richard Hogue
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
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