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.

Results for Market gardening 2016
2016-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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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
2016-2019 • Market gardening

Integrated approach to nitrogen fertilization for profitable organic potato production and a balanced phosphorus budget

There is a great need to test green manure as a main source of nitrogen for potatoes as they help to maintain soil quality and control weeds.

Researcher: Christine Landry

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Christine Landry
2015-2019 • Market gardening

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

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Annabelle Firlej
2015-2019 • Market gardening

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

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Annabelle Firlej
2014-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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2014-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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2015-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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2014-2017 • Market gardening

Assessing the potential of using granulated potato residues to produce animal feed, fertilizers, and energy

Managing potato residues is therefore a big challenge, which will only increase with the enforcement of the Québec Residual Materials Waste Management Policy.

Researcher: Christine Landry

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Christine Landry
2014-2017 • Market gardeningField crops

Effect of legumes, manure, and compost on soil nitrogen dynamics and microbial diversity under organic production

Using a split-split-plot design, this study tested three variables: soil tillage, crop rotation in organic production, and fertilization with manure or compost.

Researcher: Caroline Côté

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Caroline Côté
2013-2018 • Market gardening

NPK fertilizer trials for beets on mineral soils in Québec

This project was aimed at determining the nutrient needs of beets based on soil texture and phosphorus and potassium levels under Québec growing conditions.

Researcher: Christine Landry

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Christine Landry
2016-2017 • Market gardening

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

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Richard Hogue

Optimizing methods of installing and maintaining commercial paper mulch

The purpose of the project was to develop techniques and tools for maintaining paper mulch during crop growth.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin

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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