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Research Poster Session

About the Display & Competition

We are pleased to announce that the Canadian Greenhouse Conference (CGC) will be hosting another Poster Session!

Our goal with this poster session is to highlight research on greenhouse floriculture, fruit, vegetables, and alternative crops in Canada, allowing growers and members of the ag-industry to see the excellent work that you do in support of the many commodities they grow.

The Poster Session is an effective venue for researchers, industry, and extension specialists to present new information pertinent to Canada’s greenhouse horticultural industry. Posters that present results from research trials, including pest management, crop production, new cultivars, and opportunities for marketing Canadian horticulture are welcomed. Posters should be approximately 120 cm x 90 cm (48” x 36”) in either portrait or landscape orientation. Please do not bring oversized posters. Both student and regular submissions are welcome.

Submissions will include two categories: Regular and Student Competition.
Application due date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
Poster PDF due date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

What are we looking for this year?
Traditional research posters and infographics, or other visual messaging tools that can convey appropriate details are encouraged. The complete poster is limited to one page only. As our target audience is predominantly comprised of growers and consultants, avoid technical language or jargon.

To submit a poster in the Poster Session, submit an application to the poster session chair prior to September 8, 2024.

 

 

2024 Poster Competition Details

This Student Poster Competition features student research conducted in the field of greenhouse horticulture. The event offers students an opportunity to showcase their work to their target audience, compete for cash awards, and publish their posters online. This competition will be limited to the first 20 applications, so please get your forms in early.

Prizes are available as follows:
1st Prize – $750
2nd Prize – $500
3rd Prize – $350 
4th Prize - $150

Eligibility for student poster competition:
The poster competition is directed at students currently enrolled at a college or university who are conducting research on greenhouse crops or related production/marketing practices relevant to Canada. The research must be novel and the student must have performed the majority of the work.

Poster Format and Judging Criteria:
While there is no specific format requirement for posters, students are encouraged to describe the problem being addressed or technology being evaluated, what was done to solve the problem or with the technology during the evaluation, what happened (results), and a discussion on the importance of this work to the greenhouse industry. Infographics are an excellent option, provided they contain elements that can be evaluated using the judging criteria. Posters will be judged by an impartial panel including research scientists, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness specialists, and representatives from the greenhouse industry. Decisions made by judges are final.

Judges will rank the posters based on the following criteria:
Introduction (background and objectives provided) 10
Body (materials and methods, and results clearly stated) 10
Summary (conclusions; relevance to industry; future direction) 20
Research (impact on the industry; appropriate methodology) 15
Organization (sequence logical and evident; statements clear and unambiguous) 15
Visual Impact (graphs, tables, and photos lead to improved understanding of the topic; easily read and understood; appealing backgrounds and colours) 20
Appropriate for the target audience (no scientific jargon; grower/industry-friendly) 10

Contact Information

Denise Beaton– Chair, Poster Session
Crop Protection Specialist
Mobile: 519-400-3636 
denise.beaton@ontario.ca

Cara McCreary – Co-Chair, Poster Session
Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist
Mobile: 519-981-2851
cara.mccreary@ontario.ca

 


 

To participate in the 2024 Research Poster Competition, download the application form below.

Application Form
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2024 Poster Competition Submissions

Please note that not all participants allow their work to be posted.

 


 

Poster Competition Winners

1st Place
Vivian Ly

Sweet basil is sensitive to chilling temperatures, posing challenges in transportation logistics and supermarket display arrangements. While most fresh vegetables require low temperatures during transportation and storage, basil cannot withstand such conditions and has to be handled separately. To address this global concern, this poster presents recommendations for enhancing chilling injury tolerance based on findings from the experiments we conducted involving various preharvest treatments.

2nd Place
Anup Jwala Poudel

The majority of the heating and electricity requirements for greenhouses at present are satisfied by boilers and CHP systems, which utilize an extensive amount of natural gas. Although renewable energy sources like wind and solar provide alternatives, they frequently fall short of completely addressing Greenhouse requirements. By significantly reducing dependency on carbon-intensive fuels, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with their dependable and scalable design, not only facilitate the shift to carbon-negative greenhouse operations but also consistently provide carbon-free energy.

3rd Place
Jerry Akanwari

In this study, we investigated the effects of various soil pathogen (nematode and fungi)treatments on apricot growth and physiological parameters in a greenhouse setting over a 2 years of period (2022-2023). Results showed that control plants consistently had greater plant health condition compared to those treated with nematodes and/or fungi. The combination of both pathogens resulted in the greatest reduction in height, indicating a synergistic negative effect.

4th Place
Andrew Burns

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) can provide a solution to disease and drought experienced in open-field mint (Mentha spp.) cultivation. Lighting is essential and can be manipulated in CEA to optimize mint growth and production of its highly valued essential oil. This poster presents our research results and recommendations on how to use light intensity in biomass and essential oil production of the economically important species, spearmint (Mentha spicata), in CEA.

Poster Submissions

Amyotte

 

This research explores alternative pest management strategies to reduce and eliminate the infestation of two-spotted spidermites on strawberry plants grown in a controlled environment agriculture system. The methods include intercropping strawberry plants with garlic chives, introducing predatory mites, and the combination of both treatments.

Beaucage

 

The research consists of evaluating the impact of different lighting on the development of crops in a greenhouse while determining the energy impact caused by the different lighting regimes.

Vargas Cedeno


Evaluation of wearable bendable biodegradable pH sensors in dry bean crops, affected biologically (White Mould) and non biologically (wounding).

Chhaybi


The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the impact of different lighting treatments on the growth, yield, and quality of greenhouse-grown tomatoes. The study will focus on four specific treatments: No supplemental lighting, One layer of interlighting from the bottom level, One layer of interlighting from the top level, and Two layers of interlighting.

Dumont


We tested the compatibility of various predators (Nabis, lacewing, syrphid, and midge) with the parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani in a greenhouse bell pepper system. The effectiveness of predator-parasitoid combinations against the green peach aphid Myzus persicae was tested in summer and autumn. Autumn results suggest that Nabis is compatible with the parasitoid, while lacewings have a deleterious effect. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Dyck/Al-Daoud


The microclimate at different heights in the canopy was characterized during a summer season in a commercial pepper greenhouse under clear and diffused glass. More consistent microclimates were observed at the bottom, middle, and top heights of the canopy under diffused glass than clear glass.

Heathcote


Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a rapidly spreading RNA virus that infects tomato and pepper crops worldwide, resulting in significant production losses. CRISPR-based diagnostics have recently emerged as a low-cost, power-free solution for highly sensitive and specific pathogen detection. We present the preliminary results of a CRISPR-based diagnostic for the detection of ToBRFV in agriculture settings.

Imanloozadeh


This research examines the use of Earth-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) technology in greenhouse as a way store and more efficiently use thermal energy. The goal is to reduce costs and CO2₂ emissions through the optimal sizing and operation of EAHE systems, potentially integrating multiple energy systems to achieve better cost efficiency and reliability.

Jadischke

 
This project investigates the current state of greenhouse waste production, including grade-out fruit and cuttings, and end-of-season clean out waste, with a focus on Essex County, Ontario. Potential alternative methods for disposal of greenhouse waste are examined.

Jukosky


This poster presents the results of a resesarch trial performed by the Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre on determining the presence of a novel homozygous gene and subsequent phenotypic evaluation and characterization of Cannabis sativa grown indoors.

Ma

 

This study investigated the effects of UV-C radiation on the mortality and fecundity of strawberry aphids in a controlled greenhouse environment, with a focus on varying UV-C dosage and application frequency. The findings suggest that UV-C radiation is a sustainable and effective method for managing aphid populations in strawberry crops, potentially reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and contributing to more environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Maatallaoui


My master's research project focuses on evaluating the efficacy of organic products containing beneficial bacteria in combating powdery mildew in greenhouse-grown tomatoes. The aim is to identify sustainable alternatives to chemical treatments for managing this common fungal disease.

Nguyen

 

Novel strategies to cultivate medicinal fungi are in need due to the rising demand for phytopharmaceuticals and emerging supply chain issues. Many fungal species are sensitive to fluctuations in climatic conditions which can alter the phenology and productivity of fungal species. To address these issues, we propose the cultivation of medicinal fungal species under controlled environment conditions.

Paling


This poster presents the results of a resesarch trial performed by the Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre on the effectiveness and commercial viability of EcoWool pellets, a pelletized form of raw, unwashed sheep wool, as a fertilizer/supplement in the cultivation of Ocimum basilicum 'Lettuce Leaf' (basil) within a controlled indoor agricultural setting.

Rousseau-Pinard


In order to better manage the available irradiation, a controller has been implemented to pilot the agrivoltaic system of a raspberry winter greenhouse located in Québec. This research consists in the design of the strategies used to actuate the solar blinds to reach agronomic targets. These strategies operate to optimize the amount of Photosynthetically Active Radiation received by the plants throughout a day according to its phenological stage and weather conditions.

Qadar

 

To combat pathogen infections, growers traditionally use pesticides, antifungals, and copper products, which can lead to harmful side effects like antifungal resistance and environmental damage. Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation (aPDI) offers a promising alternative for managing pathogens like Colletotrichum, a fungus responsible for anthracnose in various crops. aPDI relies on light-activated photosensitizers, such as Sodium Magnesium Chlorophyllin, to reduce microbial growth, presenting a novel approach to reduce chemical use and improve crop yields. With this promising new approach, the rainfastness of the product is tested to further assess the full capabilities of the product.

VanderVeen

 

A novel decontamination method was developed based on hydroxyl-radicals that are produced via the UV-C mediated degradation of hydrogen peroxide and ozone. The optimized treatments could effectively decontaminate contact surfaces, seeds, and plants with positive effects on germination rates and leafy-greens quality & shelf-life.

Zaro


Pseudomonas syringae is a prevalent gram-negative bacterial pathogen that affects almost 200 plant species and causes major diseases in vital agricultural crops. Conventional management approaches, which are heavily dependent on copper and antibiotics, have resulted in extensive bacterial resistance. Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation (aPDI) offers a promising new strategy to tackle resistant plant pathogens, utilizing light-activated photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species that effectively eliminate these pathogens.