The two major research areas for the WBRP are (i) development of field sanitation andprecision agriculture technologies (in collaboration with Dr. Qamar Zaman and the Precision Agriculture Research Program at the NSAC) and (ii) assessing the physiological impact of foliar diseases and development of integrated leaf disease management practices. Specific details of these research and development activities include the following:

Research Activities for 2010/2011

Canadian Horticultural Council Science Based Cluster Initiative

• 3 year, $1.2 million project
• Components: Precision agriculture and field sanitation
       
  Part A. Field Sanitation
  
  
• Proof of concept experiments were completed with emphasis on leaf diseases
• Stage 1 (this year): Pruning, debris removal and containment technologies (in collaboration with Doug Bragg Enterprises)
• Stage 2: Thermal application technologies
  
  Part B. Precision Agriculture
  
• Lead investigator is Dr. Qamar Zaman (Department of Engineering, NSAC) and the work is being conducted by the Precision Agriculture Research Program
• Variable rate boom sprayer initial prototype has been developed
• Work is ongoing on streamlining to components involved and improving the controllers used
• Potential applications:
• Weeds: Pre-emergence (perennial weeds), post-emergence (goldenrod and other weeds to cameras/ultrasonic sensors can distinguish) and autumn applications (mosses and other perennial weeds)
• Fungicides: Blight and leaf spot applications
• Insecticides: TBD
• Variable rate fertilizer spreader prototype has been developed.
• Mapping topographical and soil attributes has been completed.
• Supporting environment and plant related sensors that examine soil characteristics (dual EM), topography (slope sensor), plant height (ultrasonic) and vegetation characterization (visible light cameras) have been developed.
  
  Integrated Leaf Disease Management Technologies

• Studies examining the effects of Septoria and rust on the light use efficiency, carbon assimilation and metabolism and plant growth and development have been completed. 
• Fungicide screening activities have also been completed with emphasis on new fungicides that are acceptable for use in export markets.
• Screening activities have resulted in the registration of the fungicide Proline® (a.i. prothioconazole) and can now be used in the sprout phase of production.
• Other fungicides including Fontelis® (penthiopyrad) are in the process of being registered.
• Continue screening a few new active ingredients will be examined given export market developments.
• Lab based sensitivity studies will continue with emphasis on Septoria (2 additional active ingredients to be examined), Monilinia and Valdensinia

  Monilinia Blight

• Challenge: In field trials conducted in 2010, evidence of inadequate Monilinia control with the active ingredient propiconazole was attained.
• Goal for this year has been to uncover why......

 Nutrient Technologies

• Interested in developing a sensor that can determine leaf nutrient content
• Will allow for the spatial determination of nutrients in blueberry fields and ability to adjust fertilizer applications accordingly
• Long-term study examining the main and interactive effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers is ongoing (no to 2 x’s the recommended applications) and changes in soil dynamics caused by the treatments
• Trials with phosphite fertilizers are ongoing.