Research greenhouse will be Canada's largest

Friday, September 26, 2014

by DAVE PINK

The largest research greenhouse in Canada, now under construction at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, should be ready by May.

The 3,700-square-metre greenhouse will be used to try out some innovative pest control techniques, to experiment with different varieties of greenhouse crops that are now in big demand among Canadian consumers, and to test some new automated planting and packaging systems, says Jim Brandle, the chief executive officer at the centre.

“We’re very big on automation,” he says.

As many as 18 scientists could be doing research projects in the new greenhouse at any given time, says Brandle.
    
“We are delighted that there will be another option to do research, and we are open to any kind of innovation,” says George Gilvesy, general manager of the Leamington-based Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. “Growers are constantly looking for any new market prospects, and the more help the better.”

Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and some eggplant crops are already grown under glass, much of it in the Leamington area of Essex County. The greenhouse flower and ornamentals operations are based largely in the Niagara area.

There will be a focus on new potential vegetable crops, Brandle says. He says there may be strong marketing opportunities for the Indian and long purple varieties of eggplant that are favoured by Canada’s growing Asian population.

As well, he says work will be done on biological pest control methods, as an alternative to chemical pesticides, to eliminate insect such as thrips, which can cause extensive cosmetic damage.

The $10-million greenhouse project is being backed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, along with support from the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto and Agriculture Canada. BF