OBJECTIVE: To examine the leachate over time from a selected range of biochar and greenhouse media blends to assess nutrient holding and loss over time, and thus potential impact on plant growth and environment. CHALLENGE: Walker Industries Inc. is a diverse, Ontario-based company with an environmental division, Walker Environmental Group Inc. (WEG), that specializes in waste management and resource recovery. One of the areas of … Continue reading Biochar Leachate Evaluation »
Zeolite in hydrangea production OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to validate the performance of zeolite from International Zeolite Corporation (IZC) as a media supplement that may increase cation exchange capacity (CEC) and media weight during a complete hydrangea crop cycle at a commercial growing facility in Ontario. CHALLENGE: Conventional media for growing hydrangeas has proven too lightweight for a crop that is grown … Continue reading IZC Hydrangea Production »
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of environmental control strategies used to control fungal diseases, and the efficacy of the biological control agents Aphidius matricariae and Chrysopa carnea, either alone or in combination, compared to a universal control, for control of the cannabis aphid Phorodon cannabis on Cannabis sativa. CHALLENGE: The commercial cannabis industry currently struggles with integrated pest management … Continue reading Koppert Canada Limited »
Evaluation of the effects of the weight of zeolite in peat moss-based media and the corresponding shipping logistics of potted plant products OBJECTIVE: To establish dry and wet weight estimates on various zeolite-peat moss media blends in a range of growing pot sizes, in order to assess the potential impact on shipping and handling of plants.. CHALLENGE: Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral, known … Continue reading IZC Shipping Weights Evaluation »
OBJECTIVE: To examine the leachate over time from a selected range of NEREA® and peat moss media blends to assess nutrient holding and loss over time, and thus potential impact on plant growth and environment. CHALLENGE: NEREA® has the potential to be blended with peat moss to create a novel growing media with the necessary physical and chemical characteristics for plant growth. However, it is … Continue reading Evaluation of leachate over time from selected rates of NEREA® blended with peat moss »
OBJECTIVE: A preliminary trial was carried out to evaluate the sodium content and solubility of NEREA®, and eventual uptake by the plant, when used as a media substitute for lettuce grown in a greenhouse using a hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system. CHALLENGE: In a previous trial with AETIC, the NEREA® product demonstrated capacity to be used successfully as a hydroponic medium to grow lettuce. … Continue reading Phytotoxicity assessment of sodium for lettuce grown in NEREA®-based hydroponics »
