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 2016

Banded controlled-release and conventional fertilizer in horticultural production under plastic mulch

The aim of this project was to field-test sound irrigation practices and band application of various types of fertilizers at ridging time to eliminate fertigation and increase the efficiency of fertilizer and water use under plastic mulch.

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Carl Boivin
Christine Landry
2014-2018 • Market gardening

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.

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2016-2018 • Field crops

Identifying biological indicators of soil health using metagenomic analysis of soil under different grain cropping systems

This project was aimed at identifying and incorporating biological indicators into decision support tools used to assist producers and agroenvironmental regulatory bodies seeking to preserve soil productivity and use sustainable production systems.

Researcher: Richard Hogue

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Richard Hogue
2016-2017 • Livestock production

Impact of floor type on odour emissions in hog production: evaluating average emissions and quantifying their reduction in hog finishing barns

The objective of the project was to demonstrate that next generation hog barn design (slatted floors over 2/3 or more of the area) generate less odor.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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Stéphane Godbout
2016-2018 • Market gardening

Improve the efficiency of water use in different potato cultivars

The aim of the project was to measure the performance and water requirements of eight potato cultivars under commercial production conditions.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2016-2018 • Field 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

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2016-2018 • Field crops

Effectiveness of an annual vs. end-of-season legume green manure crop in increasing soil resilience and providing sufficient nitrogen

The project compared the nitrogen uptake effects of green manure crops grown for a full season, in association with a main crop, or after it is harvested.

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Aubert Michaud, retraité
Marc-Olivier Gasser
Maryse Leblanc
2015-2017 • Fruit production

Attract and kill strategies for control of the plum curculio in conventional and organic apple orchards

An attract and kill technique to control plum curculio was recently proposed by U.S. researchers, but it is very little used in orchards and virtually unknown in Québec.

Researcher: Gérald Chouinard

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Gérald Chouinard
2016-2018

Development of bio-pesticides using pyrolysis oil from residual biomass

The objective of project was to produce a biopesticide from the pyrolysis of agricultural waste.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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Stéphane Godbout
2015-2019 • Fruit production

Sound water management for lowbush blueberries under fluctuating and changing climatic conditions

Using sound irrigation management to control frost and water stress in lowbush blueberry helps stabilize yield while minimizing environmental impacts.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2016-2018 • Field crops

Profitability evaluation of cover crops at the farm level

The project was designed to assess the profitability of various types of cover crops and planting methods at the farm level.

Researcher: Luc Belzile

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2016-2019 • Fruit production

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

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Daniel Cormier
2016-2017 • Market gardening

Improving irrigation management with accurate measurements of effective precipitation

The project consisted of manufacturing and testing a portable rain simulator to estimate, under various conditions, what proportion of irrigation water a crop is able to use.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

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Carl Boivin
2016-2018 • Fruit production

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

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Annabelle Firlej
2016-2018 • Livestock production

An innovative and economical air treatment technology for pig farms

IRDA and CRIUCPQ have been working on developing an air treatment unit to reduce pig farm emissions.

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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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