Researcher, agr., M.Sc.
418 643-2380
ext 430
Most of Quebec's wild blueberry production is frozen. This allows large volumes of fruit to be harvested in a short period of time and sold throughout the year. Fresh blueberries are in a more precarious situation where the harvest period determines when they will be on the shelves of food chains. Ripening occurs at a time when the risk of frost increases. Increasing the consumption of fresh Quebec wild blueberries and improving the predictability of supply from one season to the next are priorities for the sector. To achieve this, harvests need to be spread out over a longer period of time to prevent an early frost event from sabotaging the crop. The risk of frost can be mitigated with different protection methods that have proven their worth for other crops. However, the feasibility, cost, risks and framework for successful adoption of this practice remain to be detailed for blueberries.
From 2020 to 2022
Project duration
Fruit production
Activity areas
Exclusion nets have proven to be effective against nearly all of these insect pests, which means that it’s possible to develop apple growing practices in Québec that are not only neonicotinoid free, but also devoid of all pesticides (including acaricides, given that mite problems are a consequence of broad-spectrum insecticide use). Although the net exclusion microsystem studied in Québec since 2012 has demonstrated its effectiveness in controlling insect pests, some issues remain to be studied before it can be unreservedly recommended. Among these are the handling times for the nets, i.e., installation/removal and opening/closing, and the system’s profitability and durability over the long haul for various cultivars.
Researcher: Mikaël Larose
The project’s overall goal is to slow the arrival of Spotted Wing Drosophila in crop plots using mass trapping at overwintering sites.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
Design and validation of a new generation of high tunnels with automatic retractable roofs, new roofing materials, and screens that will extend the harvest season.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej