Greenhouse growing, irrigation, sustainable development, confinement, biopesticides
The high-performance greenhouse complex is a reference in terms of research infrastructure. Its facilities are among the most sophisticated in Canada and North America. Recognized for their energy efficiency, they enable highly precise, automated control of the greenhouse climate and considerably reduce environmental emissions. The infrastructure contributes to cutting-edge research in the fields of greenhouse production (cropping systems and greenhouse environments, peat growing substrates, phytoprotection, agri-environment), genomics (tree genomics and forest pathogen genomics) and biotechnology (plant biotechnology and crop genomics). The confinement greenhouses enable Plant Pest Containment Level 2 (PPC-2) tests. The greenhouses and related equipment are used by both university and private researchers.
Greenhouse growing tests (market-garden and ornamental plants), phytoprotection tests, development of sustainable development technology, development of new horticultural products.
- Agriculture, animal science and food
- Chemical industries
- Clean technology
- Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
- Consumer durables
- Education
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Forestry and forest-based industries
- Mining, minerals and metals
- Policy and governance
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| High-performance greenhouses | Eight 150-square-metre compartments for growing on tables or slabs | Testing of long-duration crops under permanent climate control |
| One 50 m2 compartment for growing on tables | Testing of long-duration crops under permanent climate control | |
| Fertilizer recovery and recirculation system | Closed-loop work and reduction in inputs | |
| Rainwater recovery system | Use of rainwater for all steps in greenhouse growing | |
| Nutrijet fertilizer mixer (per volume or according to EC and/or pH) | Use of rainwater, tap water and reverse osmosis water to make fertilizers | |
| PPC-2 confinement greenhouses (up to PPC-3 in the winter) | Six 50-square-metre compartments and two 75-square-metre compartments | Pathogen tests and tests of new biological and chemical products under development |
| Forestry greenhouses | Six 25-square-metre compartments and two 50-square-metre compartments | |
| Propagation tunnel | ||
| Technology transfer greenhouses (ITA Saint-Hyacinthe) | Four technology-transfer greenhouse compartments | |
| Growth chambers | Four Conviron PGW40 growth chambers | 1.5-square-metre chambers with a range from 4°C to 45°C, with T5 lamps and possibility to connect light emitting diodes “LEDs” |
| Plant dryers | Nine dryers of various sizes for grains and plants of all sizes | |
| Mills | Dry plant material grinders |
Private and public sector research partners
- Harnois
- Hortau
- Ferme Onesime Pouliot
- Nature canneberges
- Canneberges Bieler
- Veg-Pro