Roger Kehoe

Eason Horticultural Resources
USA

 Vegetative Propagation

New and improved genetics grown from vegetative propagation have exploded in the past two decades. Precision propagation is required to  get the crop off to a good start, and Roger has some tips for focusing on critical processes for profitability. Discussion will cover annuals, perennials and some foliage and tropical items, and how to optimize rooting rates, uniformity, and minimize shrink and unpredictable results. The industry has some new technology available which will be presented, and some great old ideas that work well but have been forgotten. This presentation will help sort through the various decisions that need to be made for planning profitable results.

Jerry Gorchels

PanAmerican Seed Co.

Getting the Most Out of Germination

Gorchels will discuss the most optimal conditions for germination with an emphasis more difficult crops like Begonia, Vinca and Pentas 

Sarah Miner

Roelands Plant Farm
Lambton Shores, ON

Biosecurity in Plant Propagation 

Looking at the ins and outs of biosecurity within plant propagation. How propagation is keeping things clean right from the start!

Erik Runkle

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI  USA

Light Quality Regulates Growth of Young Plants

Light quality refers to the color, or spectrum, of a light source. It can influence plant growth and quality characteristics, and in some cases flowering too. Runkle will provide an overview of how the different colors (wavebands) of light influence growth of young plants grown in vertical farms and greenhouses. You can use this information to help determine what light spectrum is appropriate for your indoor or greenhouse lighting application.

Highlights from the 2021

Research Poster Session

To view all the reports visit

Raj Vansiya

Agriculture & Agri-food Canada
Vineland Station, ON

Monitoring ToBRFV in Greenhouses Using Bumblebees

The tobamovirus Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a devastating pathogen of tomatoes. ToBRFV is a highly regulated virus around the world due to its severe ability to impact tomato production and marketability. Recently, two ToBRFV outbreaks were identified at commercial greenhouses in Ontario and Quebec. Due to the high transmission rate of ToBRFV, early detection of infection and regular monitoring is imperative for limiting spread. Bumblebees are commonly used as pollinators in greenhouses and visit multiple plant individuals to collect pollen to return to the hive. ToBRFV is present in pollen grains derived from infected plants, and monitoring for ToBRFV in greenhouses using bees can be more efficient than manual screening for symptoms. Commercial bumblebee hives were collected from ToBRFV infected greenhouses to evaluate different detection methods. RNA sequencing of bumblebees allowed for the detection of Tomato ringspot virus, Pepino Mosaic Virus, ToBRFV, and many others. These suggests that plants within the greenhouse may be infected with some of the viruses detected. ImmunoStrip tests can be conducted on to pinpoint specific plants which are infected. To determine the limits of detection through bee samples, an experimental system using Pepino mosaic virus is currently being developed. The use of bees as a sample material allows for quick and accurate detection of pathogens within agricultural systems and can be developed into an easy-to-use monitoring system for growers and researchers.

Alexander Nauta

University of Guelph, ON

Development & Evaluation of a New Greenhouse Energy Model with Data from Four Ontario Greenhouses

Modelling the energy use and interior conditions of a greenhouse can be an important tool for growers, making it possible to assess the impact of changes to the greenhouse systems and operation, potentially identifying ways to save money on energy costs. In this study, a lumped capacitance thermal model is developed to simulate greenhouse interior conditions based on exterior weather and operating settings. Heat and moisture transport equations were applied to each layer of the model, with the corresponding change in temperature or absolute humidity calculated at each time step. Measured time-series data from four different greenhouses in southern Ontario were used to evaluate model performance. The measured interior temperature and relative humidity data were used to evaluate the accuracy of the model simulations, while other measured data, such as wind speed and solar radiation, were used as model inputs. Physical properties of the greenhouses were included in the model. Some required parameters, such as the infrared emissivity of the glazing, were sourced primarily from literature. The studied greenhouses included two commercial greenhouses and two smaller, passive greenhouses. Simulations of the commercial greenhouses accounted for the presence of energy curtains, evaporative cooling pads, forced ventilation, crop evapotranspiration, supplementary lights and heating, and a CO2 burner. The simulations and evaluation results for each greenhouse will be presented. It was found that the current model version has comparable or better accuracy than prior models in the literature. Plans to apply the model in a predictive mode to examine potential energy efficiency improvement by adding technology or changing operating protocols will also be briefly presented.

Ashley Summerfield

Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
Vineland, ON

Peeling Back the Layers of Onion Thrips IPM

Over the last several years, Onion thrips (OT) have been an emerging pest in greenhouse ornamentals. Biocontrol-based IPM programs that usually work well for western flower thrips (WFT) haven't been as effective for OT, leaving growers little choice but to apply insecticides. Due to our reliance on biologicals to manage WFT and other pests, frequent pesticide use is not a sustainable long-term solution. Knowing which parts of the WFT IPM programs are effective for OT management can help us develop a more effective program for this pest.  In this study, the core components of the WFT IPM program - predatory mites and biopesticides - were tested against both OT and WFT in laboratory and greenhouse trials. Results presented compare how biocontrol agents perform against each thrips species to indicate how IPM strategies may be modified for greenhouses that are struggling to manage OT.

Taro Saito

Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
Vineland, ON

A New Biocontrol Agent: Generalist Predatory Mite Anystis Baccarum

Anystis baccarum is a globally distributed generalist predatory mite which reproduces without mating. The mite eats a broad range of pests, including western flower thrips, foxglove aphids, spider mites, echinothrips, and mealybugs. In laboratory trials, A. baccarum not only out-performed both Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii against all larval and adult stages of western flower thrips, but also readily consumed all foxglove aphid life stages with preference for the first instars. In greenhouse trials, significantly better control of thrips and two-spotted spider mites was obtained on chrysanthemums when A. baccarum was used together with N. cucumeris sachets. On greenhouse sweet peppers, combined releases of A. baccarum and Aphidius ervi effectively eliminated foxglove aphids, and higher fruit yields were obtained compared to plants protected by the parasitoids only. The mite also fed on naturally occurring thrips during the trial, reducing thrips feeding damage on the fruits. The results demonstrated that A. baccarum will be a useful addition to greenhouse IPM programs.

Although the mass rearing of A. baccarum was once deemed not economical due to the high cannibalism rate, we have successfully developed a prototype product, and now our project partner, Applied Bio-nomics Inc. is currently developing a production line. 

Brian Lynch

Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
Vineland, ON

Computer Modelling of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Plant Structure

1:30 - Greenhouse Technology Award Winners

Meet the winners of the 2021 Greenhouse Technology Awards. Debuting this year, the program recognizes products or services demonstrating a high level of innovation in advancing Canada's greenhouse and controlled environment agriculture sectors.

Presented by                Sponsored by    

Rodd Gibson

Jeffery’s Greenhouses,
St. Catharines, ON

Automation at Jeffery’s Greenhouses

Jeffery’s Greenhouse is a leading grower and supplier of bedding, container, and seasonal potted plants to retail customers across Ontario and Upper New York State. They are known throughout the industry for their consistent quality products and services. General Manager, Rodd Gibson, shares Jeffery’s past, present and future automation projects.

Leigh Coulter

GGS Structures Inc.,
Vineland Station, ON

 Advances in Greenhouse Structures & Technology

Brian Lynch

Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, ON

Automated Cucumber Harvesting

Labour is one of the largest costs for greenhouse operators with harvesting comprising a large portion of that labour. In Canada, cucumbers are in the top three vegetable greenhouse crops in terms of farm gate value, yield, and acreage. Although most greenhouse cucumber growers use the umbrella growing technique, there is a trend towards using the high-wire technique to achieve higher yield and quality. At Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, we are currently developing an automated robotic cucumber harvesting system for use on long English varieties grown using the high-wire technique. The intention of this effort is to demonstrate the core technologies needed to harvest with a robotic system that achieves a high performance level with a reasonable return on investment. This presentation will introduce viewers to the overall problem, our research and development strategy, the current solution architecture and its components, and recent testing results obtained at our experimental greenhouse facility.

Warren Russel

Moleaer,
Carson, CA

Nanobubble Water Treatment Technology for Better Yields

Improved plant health and yield starts with optimal water quality and nanobubble enriched water produces proven results. See the latest case studies and data from research institutions and our greenhouse, vertical farm, and controlled environment agriculture customers, and learn how our nanobubble generators have helped hundreds of growers. Discover how nanobubbles: Improve root health, enhance nutrient absorption, suppress pathogens, biofilms and algae, reduce cultivation time, prevent pathogens such as Pythium, Phytophthora, and Fusarium and have the potential to increase yield by up to 56%.