Research

We have the knowledge and the skills to set-up and maintain a project on your site.  Our trials respect scientific requirements for control, replication and statistical analysis.  We have training in GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), a world-wide standard for research.

Pesticide Efficacy Trial

We conduct trials to comply with pesticide registration requirements as outlined by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency.  We have access to ornamental plants and fruit trees in landscapes, nurseries and greenhouses.

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  • Examples of recent trials:

    • Screening of new insecticides for management of Sequoia pitch moth (Synanthedon sequoia) in seed cone orchards, 2018-2023
    • Screening of new fungicides for powdery mildew (Macroshpaera sp. and Podosphaera macularis) in haskap and hops, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019)
    • Screening of new insecticides for European pine shoot moth (Rhyaciona bouliana) in seed cone orchards, 2017-2018
      copy of article
    • Screening of new insecticides for management of elm bark beetle (especially Scolytus multistriatus), 2016-2017
    • Screening of new insecticides for white pine weevil (Pissodes strobe) in spruces, 2011 to 2014 (label of Delegate)
    • Screening of new insecticides for insect pests in conifer seed orchards, including Dioryctria abietivorella, 2009 to 2014 (label of Delegate)
    • Efficacy testing of the herbicides BroadStar and SureGuard for nursery production, 2005 to 2007 (copy of poster)

New Products Trials

We conduct trials to examine new products and help design their use pattern.  We have access to ornamental plants and fruit trees in landscapes, nurseries and greenhouses.

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  • Examples of past trials:

    • Field testing of a new low-impact herbicide for use in commercial applications, 2016
    • Field testing of home made materials as deer repellent, 2015-2016
    • Field trial in wine grapes for the impact of a commercial seaweed extract on final juice quality and disease incidence, 2014-2015
    • Impact of the organic fertilizer RainGrow on lawn quality and tomato  production, 2000 to 2002 (copy of poster)
    • Use of mycorrhizal fungi in softwood propagation and perennials production (copy of talk)

Testing of Production Methods

We manage trials to improve the current production methods.  The work is done on-site and aims to modify one factor in the current program.

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  • Examples of past trials:

    • Field trials with controlled-release fertilizers in container shrub production
    • Preventing root defects during nursery tree production
      (copy of poster)
    • Impact of plant growth regulators on greenhouse perennials production

Testing of Management Practices

Do you want to optimize a management method used by your company?

Let us set-up and maintain a trial that will respect proper research design and yield useful information.  The work is done on-site to mimic the real growing conditions.

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  • Examples of past trials:

    • Field use of wireless sensor irrigation network for nursery plant production, 2016-2017
    • Acetic acid for post-emergent weed control in shrub beds
    • Use of mulches and disks for weed control in nursery container production (copy of poster)
    • Commercial mycorrhizal fungi products at the time of planting for street planted trees
    • (copy of presentation)
    • Fertilizers and fungicides for control of red thread disease in lawns

GLP (Good Laboratory Practices)

We hold a certificate of training from Pacific Rim Consulting for the application of G.L.P to field studies.

GLP covers the organization and conduct of field studies, including planning, monitoring, recording and reporting.  The intent is to promote the quality and validity of test data and improve the international acceptance of data generated in these trial.

In order to promote international cooperation, these practices have been implemented in many countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

For more information about G.L.P. consult the document “Regulatory Directive 98-01″
issued in 1998 by PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) at the webpage
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_pol-guide/dir98-01/index-eng.php

Scientific Meetings

We participate in scientific meetings to gain the latest information for our work.  Here are examples of presentations we have made in the past.

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  • Examples of past presentations:

    • “Visual Symptoms of Fireblight”
      2nd International Symposium on Fireblight of Rosaceous Plants, 2019 in Traverse City, Michigan USA.
    • “Organic matter in horticulture”
      Meeting of the Western Region IPPS (International Plant Propagators Society), 2014 in Abbotsford BC (copy of report)
    • “Canadian certification program for nursery stock”
      International Society of Arboriculture annual conference and trade show, August 2013, Toronto Ontario.
    • “Long term impact of compost use at a field nursery”
      2nd International Compost Symposium, 2013 in Santiago, Chile (copy of talk)
    • “Microbial content of actively aerated compost tea after variations of ingredients or procedures”
      1st World Congress on the Use of Biostimulants in Agriculture, 2012 in Strasbourg, France (copy of paper)
    • “Disease incidence in Alberta nurseries”
      12th International Workshop on Fire Blight, 2010 in Warsaw, Poland (copy of paper)
    • “Mulches and disks in nursery container production”
      8th European Weed Research Society Workshop on Physical and Cultural Weed Control, 2009 in Zaragoza, Spain (copy of talk)
    • “Phytotoxicity of flumioxazin to ornamental plants”
    • 5th International Weed Science Congress, 2008 in Vancouver British Columbia (copy of talk)
    • “Biological control in nursery production in Western Canada”
      Working Group Integrated Control in Protected Crops of the International Organization for Biological Control, Sint Michielsgestel, 2008 in The Netherlands (copy of paper)
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  • More presentations at scientific meetings:

    • “Incidence of summer outbreaks of fire blight in tree nurseries of South Alberta”
      12th International Workshop on Fire Blight, 2010 in Warsaw, Poland
      (copy of poster)
    • “Brewing Aerated Compost Tea: Factors that Impact Microbial Composition”
      National Compost Conference, organized by the Canadian Compost Council, 2009 in  Vancouver, BC
    • “Municipal pesticide bylaws in Canada – The impact on pest management practices”
      6th International IPM Symposium, 2009 in Seattle, OR. Half-day workshop organized by our company on the theme  (see Program of symposia)
    • “The ash borer Podosesia syringae (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae): the morph fraxini as a new pest of nurseries in Western Canada”
      Entomological Society of Alberta, 2008 in Edmonton, AB (copy of poster)
    • “Status of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in outdoor nursery production in Canada”
      International Organization for Biological Control, 2008 in The Netherlands 
      (copy of presentation)
    • “Non-chemical weed control in urban areas”
      International Weed Science Congress, 2008 in Vancouver, BC (copy of abstract)
    • “Influence of Container Mulches on Irrigation and Nutrient Management”
      Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 2007 (copy of paper)
    • “Flumioxazin, a new herbicide for pre-emergence weed control in container production”
      Canadian Weed Science Society, 2006 in Victoria, BC (copy of poster)