Français
Field studies of stormwater pond dynamics in response to storm events at horticultural operations were carried out to determine the critical points at which farmers must manage their collection ponds to protect the environment. For most horticultural greenhouse operations, stormwater ponds essentially collect rainwater from the greenhouse roofs, and may collect subsurface drainage water from adjacent land or the greenhouse production facility. Continuous as well as strategic monitoring was carried out at three floriculture greenhouse sites over the 2014 season, collecting information on volumes, overflows, meteorological data, and composition of pond water and stormwater overflows. This project is the first phase in developing Best Management Practices for producers to size, design, and monitor their stormwater management systems to adapt to changes in size, intensity, frequency, and variability of growing season storm events predicted by current climate change models. The development of a coherent management and sampling strategy is of value to farmers, who are looking at whether their ponds are designed and operating properly, and are seeking to comply with environmental ministry requirements.
Rapid and standard 3M Petrifilm methods were compared (Aerobic Plate Count for bacteria (AC), Rapid Yeast and Mold (RYM), and E.coli and Total Coliform (Ec/TC)), as well as diluents and incubation times and temperatures. Other methods tested included LaMotte BioPaddles, Biosan SaniCheck YM, ColiTag and AgDia strips to select the ‘best’ method for on-site monitoring. Periodically, samples were submitted for DNA Multiscan analysis for plant pathogens to obtain correlations between this method and the 3M TY&M method being used as an ‘indicator’ test for the presence and level of fungal plant pathogen populations. A 2 year data base of water quality over different production systems, seasons and treatment systems was developed. Grower protocols for sampling and monitoring methods were developed and refined in cooperation with growers and their designated personnel. Training of owner/growers and/or designated personnel was carried out at each participating operation. The in-house data generated was compared to the on-going monitoring program in order to assess the practicality of the methods in-house and get feedback from the individual cooperators.
This project was intended to provide guidance on innovative water treatment technologies for the horticulture sector in Ontario. The scope of the project included: installation of 2 portable hybrid treatment systems (HTS) to test the operational parameters needed to treat (i.e. clean) floriculture greenhouse and nursery wastewater so that it can be either safely discharged to the environment, or rendered suitable for re-use within the operation, installation of 2 permanent hybrid treatment systems (HTS), one at a container nursery and one at a flower greenhouse, using information obtained from the pilot systems as well as previous studies, and development of a Guidance Document for growers to help them make informed decisions regarding water management and treatment options. The Hybrid Treatment System represents a flexible tool for water treatment, particularly in situations where there is a desire to recirculate or discharge very clean water. Removal rates in each of the selected media are dependent on temperature, flow rate (hydraulic retention time), and nutrient concentration. Temperature is particularly important for the woodchip cells, since these are primarily a biological treatment. For optimum performance these systems need to be designed on the basis of projected daily water volumes, concentrations for treatment, and expected temperatures over the entire production period. While these systems do require a significant footprint outdoors, they can be tailored to match the volumes and fluctuations of a particular operation. And in many cases, the surface of the treatment can be used as a production area, but machine traffic should be avoided. It is highly recommended that growers conduct a self-assessment of the farm prior to choosing a water management solution.
This project demonstrated the differences in leachate (direct pot runoff) from outdoor container production from a range of fertilizers (formulation, rate) in both overhead and drip irrigation systems. Both hydrangea and chrysanthemum crops were examined, with sites across Southern Ontario (primarily in the Leamington-London region that drains into the western basin of Lake Erie, and the Niagara peninsula). Comparisons of key nutrients (especially phosphorus and nitrogen) were made, in addition to overall plant growth parameters, costing comparisons (CRF vs. WSF), and after-sales plant performance. The goal of the project was to provide benchmarking and guidance on improved nutrient and fertilizer best management practices (BMPs) for outdoor floriculture production in Ontario.
Four dehumidification technologies were tested at three different facilities over a three year period: commercial mechanical refrigeration dehumidifier (MRD), chemical liquid desiccant dehumidifier (LDD), air-to-air heat recovery ventilation system (HRV), and finally a prototype called energy recovery ventilation (ERV), which is a combination of liquid desiccant approach (wet mode) and an air-to-air heat exchanger (dry mode). Overall, energy savings could be achieved, but the dehumidification systems controls needed. to be strategically integrated in the greenhouse computer control system logic in a manner that resulted in optimal performance in order for the savings to be significant. A method for in-house qir quality monitoring was developed using 3M Petrifilms, and showed a linear correlation with standard air quality testing methods.
The project assessed the potential environmental impacts of land application of Greenhouse nutrient feedwater (GNF) under the Ontario Nutrient Management Act as a best management practice (BMP) through field infiltration experiments established at four greenhouse operations representing a cross section of the vegetable greenhouse sector near Leamington, Ontario. The results demonstrated that the majority of the nutrients and other dissolved constituents in GNF applied at the highest permissible rates and practical loadings over a variety of soil types and agricultural land use practices remained within the vadose zone and at low concentrations over the course of the monitoring period. No evidence of significant environmental impact from the land application of GNF was observed. Overall, the results of the study suggest that land application of GNF in accordance with Ontario’s regulations is a feasible and environmentally reasonable treatment option for managing GNF.
La « pourriture noire des racines » aussi appelée « pourridié noir » est causée par le champignon phytopathogène Thielaviopsis basicola. Ce champignon du sol affecte plusieurs espèces ornementales et peut engendrer des diminutions de rendement et des pertes économiques importantes. Dans ce projet, 5 produits désinfectants, de matières actives différentes, ont été testés quant à leur efficacité pour la désinfection de pots contaminés par Thielaviopsis basicola. Les résultats de ce projet permettront d’informer les producteurs sur les désinfectants les plus appropriés pour éliminer ce champignon et de rappeler l’importance de la désinfection des surfaces et du matériel, particulièrement en présence d’une problématique phytosanitaire récurrente.
En lutte biologique en serre, l’utilisation des sachets à libération lente d’acariens prédateurs que l’on accroche sur les végétaux est de plus en plus répandue en production horticole ornementale. Un des objectifs de ce projet était d’évaluer le taux de libération de 2 types d’acariens prédateurs provenant de sachets à libération lente. Un deuxième objectif consistait à évaluer l’efficacité de deux méthodes de décompte des prédateurs sortant des sachets. Le taux de libération des acariens prédateurs fournira aux producteurs une façon d’évaluer la qualité du contenu du sachet tandis que la méthode de décompte la plus efficace leur permettra de savoir si les sachets performent comme prévu.
Peu importe le type de produit et l’équipement utilisé, l’efficacité des pulvérisations est souvent remise en question. Afin de vérifier si les produits phytosanitaires atteignent leur cible en entreprise, un objectif que ce projet était de brosser le Portrait de l’efficacité des pulvérisations en production serricole ornementale. Le projet c’est donc déroulé en entreprise où quatre différents formats de pot de plantes anuelles étaient à l’étude. De papiers hydrosensibles ont été utilisés pour vérifier l’uniformité et la qualité des pulvérisations. Certaines lacunes ont été observées lors des pulvérisations avec papiers hydrosensibles et d’autres concernant la santé des travailleurs. La recherche documentaire et la diffusion de recommandations spécialement formulées pour les producteurs de cultures ornementales en serre sera faite dans une deuxième phase du projet.
Le tarsonème trapu (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) est le ravageur le plus problématique dans les productions ornementales en serre au Québec. Sa salive toxique cause des déformations aux plantes occasionnant de fortes pertes économiques (pertes de plantes et coût de contrôle). Ce projet de trois ans visait donc le développement d’une méthode de dépistage et de deux méthodes de contrôle afin de réduire efficacement l’utilisation d’acaricides en traitement préventif et curatif. Une méthode de dépistage non destructive des plants (prélèvement/agitation/filtration d’une jeune feuille) a été développée mais reste à peaufiner. Une première méthode de contrôle par trempage des boutures à l’eau chaude dès leur réception n’a pas donné de résultat concluant. La deuxième méthode de contrôle évaluée était l’utilisation d’acariens prédateurs. Introduits à taux élevé en
serre expérimentale (1 200 prédateurs en quatre introductions), les prédateurs Amblyseius swirskii et Neoseiulus cucumeris ont
réduit significativement les populations de tarsonèmes. A. swirskii était le plus efficace.
Communication Materials on the Latest Research