Research Capabilities
In order to address Vineland's research goals, three core capabilities have been developed:
- Consumer Insights and Product Innovation An understanding of consumer behaviour, horticultural product development and marketing will inform many of Vineland’s research programs aimed at developing new products. Research leadership in this area will be provided by Vineland Research Director, Dr. Isabelle Lesshaeve, who is developing the lab in sensory and consumer sciences.
- Applied Genomics New technologies and vast amounts of plant genomic data are continually emerging and provide important new tools and information for genetic research. Applying these technologies to crop improvement can accelerate breeding programs and introduce desirable traits for developing new plant varieties. Research Director, Dr. Daryl Somers, will lead this team at Vineland where plant breeding and bioinformatics will be important key research areas for this team.
- Horticultural Production Systems Technologies and production methods used for horticulture include everything from cultivation techniques to greenhouse technologies and pest management. Dr. Michael Brownbridge leads this research team and has developed a lab in the field of biocontrol. Vineland Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Hannah Mathers, Ohio State University, is conducting several applied research projects in nursery and landscape production. The area of automation technologies and production processes will be addressed.
Consumer Insights and Product Innovation offers expertise in identifying new markets and assessing opportunities for product differentiation. Applied Genomics involves the design of a genetic roadmap to new varieties with beneficial traits in quality, nutrition, and disease resistance. And Horticultural Production Systems focuses on modernizing production practices, such as the use of biocontrols for pests, for more sustainable production.
Our research mandate drives development of biological tools for growers to meet market demand. To achieve this we need regular input from growers on their research priorities while understanding what it is consumers want.
Working with other researchers across Canada is vital to expanding the parameters of horticulture research at Vineland, and bringing increased value to industry.
Funding for this web site has been provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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