OSC Subproject D: Horticulture

Integrated management of horticultural field crops

Vegetables have been identified as the primary entry point for consumers into the organic market. Organic vegetable production has largely been restricted to small scale production for farmers markets and restaurants, with some wholesale distribution and little production for large scale processing in Canada (with potatoes a possible exception).

Integrated practices for building soil quality while managing weeds, insects and diseases is a high priority for these farmers. While tremendous market potential exists, these barriers are limiting the large scale commercial production and processing in Canada.

The activities in this project will increase profitability and competitiveness by developing management solutions controlling for controlling weeds, insects and disease, and promoting soil fertility through integrated management systems.

The research activities that make up this subproject are:

• Activity D.1: Agroecosystem management for pest control in organic vegetable production
• Activity D.2: System productivity and N flows in two organic vegetable long term rotations: high intensity stocked rotation versus a low intensity stockless rotation
• Activity D.4: Organic production of vegetable transplants for gardeners
• Activity D.5: Organic production of peat blocks for vegetable seedlings and detection of abiotic and biotic stresses
• Activity D.7: Development of a weed management system for pumpkins grown for seed in Ontario