RESEARCH POSTER SESSION
ABOUT THE POSTER DISPLAY
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.
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Submissions will include two categories: Regular and Student Competition.
Application due date: Monday, September 8, 2025
Poster PDF due date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025​​​​​
Contact
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
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Application
To participate in the Research Poster Competition, click here for the digital form or download the application form below.
POSTER COMPETITION DETAILS
This first 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.
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Prizes are available as follows:
1st Prize – $750
2nd Prize – $500
3rd Prize – $350
4th Prize - $150
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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.
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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, OMAFRA specialists, and representatives from the greenhouse industry. Decisions made by judges are final.
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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 understand; appealing backgrounds and colours) 20
Appropriate for the target audience (no scientific jargon; grower/industry-friendly) 10
2025 POSTER SUBMISSIONS
Please note that not all participants allow their work to be posted.
POSTER COMPETITION WINNERS
My research aims to optimize soilless strawberry cultivation in controlled environments by investigating how environmental factors - particularly LED light quality and fertilizer composition - influence calcium transport and the incidence of tip burn, a common physiological disorder. Using greenhouse and nutrient film technique systems, my studies assess plant responses such as tip burn severity, yield, development, and morphology under varied conditions.
Measuring effects of the green leaf volatile, (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate, on both thrips pests and beneficial insects and mites. Quantifying the genetic diversity of thrips species in Canadian greenhouse ornamental and vegetable crops.
Elevated carbon dioxide levels can be employed in controlled environments to increase biomass and alter plant metabolism. We evaluated the effects of six carbon dioxide concentrations (400 to 2400 ppm) on the growth and terpene content of spearmint (Mentha spicata). These findings provide insight into optimizing carbon dioxide enrichment strategies for controlled environment production.
POSTER COMPETITION SUBMISSIONS
 Karli Barton |  Carly Demers |  Gregory C Fougere |
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 Sharon Kitur |  Charlotte Giard-Laliberté |  Navid Mahdavi |
 Isabella Nardone |  Kaitlin Pengelley |  Ehsan Pesaranhajiabbas |
 Peter Sharpe |  Philippe Antoine Taillon |  Amanda VanderVeen |