The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is committed to improving life by supporting the people, places and programs that generate solutions with global impact. Research funding supports the University of Guelph’s critical mass of faculty, technical staff and graduate students engaged in research and training opportunities focused on the agri-food needs of Ontarians. Research funding for individual projects is awarded through an annual, competitive program. Applications are rigorously reviewed based on scientific merit, innovation, contributing partners, potential benefits and best fit with established priorities in each theme area. The 2019-20 projects include:
- Mistaken identity: The hidden threat of onion thrips to greenhouse floriculture IPM programs - Investigating the extent of the onion thrip problem in greenhouse floriculture crops and developing a comprehensive integrated pest management strategy. Rose Buitenhuis
- Point-of-need qPCR assay for pathogens of concern in commercial greenhouse operations - Assessing the feasibility of a point-of-need tool for soil pathogen identification to meet the needs of Ontario greenhouse growers. Robert Hanner
- Production of syngas and renewable natural gas from greenhouse vegetable waste using steam reforming technology - Investigating the feasibility of thermochemical conversion of vine waste into syngas and renewable natural gas, creating a waste-to-energy strategy. Brandon Gilroyed
- Improving the reach of integrated pest management for vegetable crops in Ontario - Expanding regional integrated pest management advice and information to help growers avoid unnecessary pesticide application
- Compostable thermoformed vegetable packaging from Ontario waste starch - Creating a compostable, cost-competitive alternative to plastic mushroom packages in Ontario using agri-food waste materials. Amar Mohant
- Smart pumping technology for vertical farming - Trialling a new smart pump technology to reduce the operating costs of conventional pumps used in vertical farming. Wael Ahmed
- Resource recovery and inedible biomass management in high-intensity, urban vertical farming applications - Determining the scientific, engineering and economic feasibility of on-site resource recovery from vertical farming waste biomass composting systems. Mike Dixon
Source: University of Guelph