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.
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
Exclusion nets for organic apple production in Eastern Canada
The aim of this project was to test the general hypothesis that exclusion nets, when properly used, can prevent attacks by most apple pests and reduce disease incidence with no major adverse effects on fruit quality.
Researcher: Gérald Chouinard
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
Galinsoga management in organic vegetable production
The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of different control strategies.
Researcher: Maryse Leblanc
Control strategies to reduce the impact of the spotted wing drosophila
This project aims to promote a biocontrol solution by testing a complex of natural enemies that attack the spotted wing drosophilia at different development stages.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
Exclusion nets made from biobased polymers
The purpose of this project is to test the general hypothesis that biobased polymers can be used to replace fossil-fuel-based products and reduce the use of pesticides without increasing GHG emissions.
Researchers: Gérald Chouinard Daniel Cormier
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.
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.
Impact of integrated pest management on the profitability of field crop farms
This project was aimed at evaluating the impact of integrated pest management on the profitability of field crop farms.
Researcher: Luc Belzile
Selection, mass rearing, and field efficiency of a predaceous strain of mullein bug
The goal of the project is to select a strain of the mullein bug to control two spotted and red spider mites when populations tend to explode.
Researcher: Daniel Cormier
Adapting fruit crop pest and disease control to climate change
The goal of this project was to document the impact of climate change on fruit crop pests and diseases in Québec.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
Repellent properties of exclusion nets used for the control of leafroller and stink bug pests of apples
The aim of the project was to measure the effect of certain natural repellents that can be used on different types of exclusion nets.
Researcher: Gérald Chouinard
Development of a cropping system for organic raspberries in high tunnels
Evaluate the toxicity of biological pesticides or repellents to control the spotted wing drosophila on everbearing raspberries grown in tunnels.
Researcher: Daniel Cormier
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