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 2015
2015-2017 • Fruit production

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

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Annabelle Firlej
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
2015-2018 • Field crops

Chia: a new crop for organic production in Québec

This two-year project, conducted at the Organic Agriculture Innovation Platform, compared the effect of three seeding dates and three seeding rates on chia yields.

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2015-2017 • Fruit production

Developing a cropping system that focuses on improving soil health to restore the yield potential of matted row strawberry fields with a history of strawberry decline

A cropping system based on adding organic matter through soil amendments and organic fertilizers can restore soil health and strawberry yields by limiting the occurrence of disease symptoms.

Researcher: Christine Landry

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Christine Landry
2015-2017 • Fruit production

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

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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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2014-2017 • Field crops

Agronomic and environmental impacts of various types of organic fertilizers and green manures in field crop production

This project evaluated the impact of various corn, soya, and wheat fertilization methods on marketable yields, harvest quality, nitrate losses, and movement of microorganisms potentially pathogenic for humans.

Researcher: Caroline Côté

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Caroline Côté
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 • Fruit production

NPK trials for strawberries on mineral soils in Québec

The data generated by this project was used to develop a new NPK fertilization chart that reflects technical, agronomic, and environmental issues.

Researcher: Christine Landry

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Christine Landry

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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