High-Performance Greenhouse Complex

Université Laval, Québec, Québec
What the facility does

Greenhouse growing, irrigation, sustainable development, confinement, biopesticides

Areas of expertise

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.

Research services

Greenhouse growing tests (market-garden and ornamental plants), phytoprotection tests, development of sustainable development technology, development of new horticultural products.

Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Chemical industries
  • Clean technology
  • Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
  • Consumer durables
  • Education
  • Energy (renewable and fossil)
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Mining, minerals and metals
  • Policy and governance

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
  • Harnois
  • Hortau
  • Ferme Onesime Pouliot
  • Nature canneberges
  • Canneberges Bieler
  • Veg-Pro