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Evaluating contaminated irrigation water in BC's Lower Mainland

Foodborne pathogens can cause human illness and sometimes even result in loss of life. VTEC (Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli), Listeria (Listeria monocytogenes), and Salmonella are the major foodborne pathogens contributing to illnesses in people.  Produce can become contaminated when…

CAI Factsheet - Reflective Tarps Maintain Blueberry Quality (Extreme Heat)

CAI Factsheet - How to Use Reflective Tarps for Blueberry Protection (Extreme Heat)

CAI Report - Managing Extreme Heat with Reflective Tarps in the Blueberry Industry

CAI Toolkit: Farm Water Planning

Don’t forget sunscreen: Protecting tree fruits during extreme heat events

As part of developing a “climate resilience toolbox” for Canadian tree fruit, this study evaluated the effect of a locally produced, calcium carbonate-based foliar protectant on apple sunburn and water stress.Canadian tree fruit producers need tools to help improve the resiliency of their crops to…

Preventing and detecting sunburn on ‘Ambrosia’ apples

To help producers adapt to the changing climate, this study examined the impact of rootstock size on sunburn browning and assessed the differences in fruit quality between healthy (marketable) 'Ambrosia' apples and those affected by sunburn browning. The results of this study will help with…

Large-dwarfing rootstocks can protect apples from sunburn

This study investigated if rootstock size selection can contribute to extreme heat resilience in ‘Buckeye Gala’ apple trees, measured through fruit sunburn damage.This research is a step towards developing a comprehensive apple rootstock evaluation that will help tree fruit growers adapt to climate…

Reducing post-harvest irrigation in sweet cherry production

This study investigated whether reducing post-harvest irrigation in 'Sweetheart' cherry orchards would negatively affect fruit quality, yield, the timing of flower bud development, or flower bud cold hardiness. The Okanagan Valley is one of the main production areas for sweet cherry in Canada…

Effects of highbush blueberry field management on greenhouse gas emissions

Canada is one of the largest producers of blueberries in the world, with 90% of the country’s highbush blueberries grown in British Columbia (BC). As blueberry production grows, there is an increasing need to identify management practices that sustain yield and environmental health long-term. An…

Economic and environmental benefits of reducing nitrogen fertilization in potato fields

This study evaluated the economic and environmental tradeoffs of three nitrogen application rates (0, 90, and 120 kg N per hectare) in potato production.Decades of intensive cultivation, along with challenges caused by inherent soil properties (poor drainage, fine soil textures), in the Fraser…

Improving on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation through stewardship programs

The objective of this research was to quantify the ability of three agricultural stewardship programs to increase on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation, indicated by improvements in soil carbon storage and soil water regulation.The stewardship programs examined in this study have been…