An investment of over $4 million bringing together expertise from academia, industry and government to address key challenges in the industry
Overview
Innovation is critically important to producers in order to maintain the competitiveness of Canada’s horticultural sector.
The Agri-Science Cluster for Horticulture is a project being funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in the amount of $3,600,000 for the period of April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2013. Its main focus is to conduct research on the key areas identified by the Canadian horticultural industry. The horticulture cluster has been separated into five commodity groups (tree fruit, small fruit, potato and water).
Industry is required to provide $976,000 in matching funds. This represents a significant contribution to the sector.
Objectives
The potential benefits and synergies which will be accrued through the cluster by improving the coordination of applied research initiatives among various Canadian research organizations are of great value to the industry.
The research is intended to meet the following challenges and opportunities identified by industry:
- Production
- Commercialization of new varieties
- Storage and post-harvest management
- Plant health
- Marketing and education
- Sustainability
The following projects form the suite of initiatives to be conducted through the Agri-Science Cluster for Horticulture.
| Commodity Group |
Project Title |
Project Lead |
Objectives |
| Tree Fruit |
Advanced Postharvest Handling and Storage Technology for Canadian Apples
|
Dr. Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA
|
To determine the time frame of flesh browning development throughout the storage season, in relation to growing season and weather data
To evaluate the effects of postharvest handling, 1-MCP technology, and storage regimes on the physical and sensory quality of new cultivars
To investigate the application of diphenylamine (DPA, antioxidant, Stop Scald) using thermo-fogging technology in commercial apple storage rooms
|
|
Identifying genetic markers to enhance apple breeding in Canada
|
Dr. Sean Myles
Nova Scotia Agricultural College
|
To lay the foundation for a large-scale marker-assisted apple breeding program by collecting genomic data from over 1000 diverse apple cultivars.
|
|
Small Fruit
|
Wild Blueberry Environmental and Production Risk Mitigation System
|
Dr. David Percival, Nova Scotia Agricultural College
|
To develop a novel, automated and integrated field operations system that will reduce agrochemical usage and associated pest pressures
Input use efficiency, traceability and safety
Promote more uniform plant growth and development, and increase yields and produce quality and consistency
|
|
Development of day neutral strawberries adapted to our changing climate and sustainable production
|
Dr. Yves Desjardins, University of Laval
|
To determine the effect of nitrogen and potassium rates applied through fertigation to optimize fertilizer use efficiency in order to minimize environmental impact and maintain fruit yield and quality under different production systems (matted row, annual plasticulture, day neutral, soil-less culture);
To evaluate existing varieties and new lines and develop F1-hybrids, hardy to environmental stresses with proper plant architecture to ease harvesting resistant to early or late frost; develop and improve the production systems under tunnels.
|
|
Tunnel-growing Systems for Raspberries
|
Dr. Adam Dale, University of Guelph
|
Investigate cultural aspects of sustainable tunnel and other protected cultivation systems in Canadian raspberry production;
Develop and test new cultivars adapted for high tunnel systems;
conduct economic studies to quantify the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of growing raspberries in high tunnels and umbrella protected cultivation systems.
|
|
Potato
|
Late Blight - Part 2: Assessing the efficacy of new fungicides and fungicide combinations for control of late blight (Phytophthora infestans)
|
Dr. Zenaida Ganga, Cavendish Farms
|
Assess the efficacy of new fungicides (systemic and non- systemic types) against late blight on three commercially grown varieties.
|
|
Late Blight - Part 3: Function of phosphorous acid related compounds on suppression of late blight in potatoes
|
Dr. Gefu Wang-Pruski, Nova Scotia Agricultural College
|
Examine the effectiveness of phosphorous acid in potato production systems.
|
|
Wireworms in Potatoes and Root Crops
|
Drs. Bob Vernon, Todd Kabuluk and Christine Noronha, AAFC with industry participants
|
To advance wireworm management strategies so that potato farmers who have wireworm problems can access a range of techniques that will provide sustainable mitigation to economic losses caused by wireworms.
The strategies proposed are comprehensive and span approaches that are fundamental in any integrated management plan:
i) cultural techniques,
ii) chemical control, and
iii) biological control
|
|
Water
|
Impact of liquid hog manure and irrigation management on broccoli safety: field experiment
|
Dr. Caroline Côté, IRDA, QC
|
To evaluate the combined effects of liquid hog manure application and irrigation on broccoli safety under field conditions.
|
|
Impact of irrigation on leaf lettuce and green onion safety: combining the irrigation-harvest delay and the content of Escherichia coli in water
|
Dr. Caroline Côté, IRDA, QC
|
To evaluate the impact of irrigation water microbial content and the delay between irrigation and harvest on the presence of indicator and pathogenic micro-organisms on green onion and leaf lettuce.
|
Other Research Initiatives
Potatoes
- National late blight strain identification (AAFC, Charlottetown)
- Bacterial Ring Rot: Evaluation of Biocides and Disinfection Procedures for the Effective Sanitation of Potato Storages and Equipment (Dr. Ron Howard)
- Wireworm projects
Apples
- Evaluation of apple scab and powdery mildew resistance in Canada (OAG, Ontario)
- Cultivar evaluation trials (PICO, BC)
Links
For More Information
Contact Amy Argentino, Manager, Projects and Programs, at aargentino@hortcouncil.ca or (613) 226-4880 Ext. 208.
This initiative is part of the Growing Canadian Agri-Innovations Program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
