Researcher, agr., Ph.D.
418 643-2380
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Organic potato farming accounts for only 0.3% of the total potato growing area in Québec (CARTV 2012). Recent consultations with a number of producers and extension agents revealed the lack of an established, effective nitrogen fertilization program that ensures a balanced phosphorus budget. Since potatoes have high nitrogen requirements, using manure to meet this need leads to phosphorus saturation of the soil and its use is necessarily limited on phosphorus-rich soils. The problem is particularly severe with potatoes because fresh manure cannot be used because of the risk of potato scab while composting reduces effective nitrogen content and concentrates the phosphorus. Pelleted chicken manure offers an alternative because it is high in effective nitrogen, but it is costly and also high in phosphorus. So there is a great need to test green manure as a main source of nitrogen. An added benefit is that green manure helps maintain soil quality and control weeds. Testing and validating a nitrogen fertilization program will support the transition to and expansion of organic farming in line with MAPAQ’s strategy in that regard.
From 2016 to 2019
Project duration
Market gardening
Activity areas
Fertilizer management
Service
Green manure applied to potato growing areas helps maintain soil quality and control weeds.
Growing Forward 2 | Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec - Innov'Action Programme | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Poster • Christine Landry, Mylène Marchand-Roy, Julie Mainguy
Landry, C., M. Marchand-Roy, J. Mainguy, M. Paradis. 2018. Tests de régies de fertilisation mixtes d’engrais verts et de ferme sur les rendements en pommes de terre biologique. IRDA. IRDA. Colloque Pomme de terre 2018, Lévis, novembre 2018. DownloadThis project will help lead to the development of an organic farming system to grow baby greens.
Researchers: Caroline Côté Annabelle Firlej Carl Boivin Maryse Leblanc
By enhancing our understanding: 1) of the nitrogen supply dynamics associated with the use of mixed green and farmyard manure applications, and 2) of the timeline of nitrogen uptake by garlic; we hope to fine-tune fertilization strategies so they meet the needs of garlic crops, while minimizing phosphorus accumulation and nitrogen leaching.
Researcher: Christine Landry
Project to quantify the long-term (60+ years) severity of erosion of organic horticultural soils.
Researchers: Claude Bernard Marc-Olivier Gasser