A grant of nearly $150,000 from the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative is helping Boréal develop an integrated strategy to combat this invasive insect, which poses serious risks to fruit production.
Research and Innovation Boréal (RIB) has received $150,000 in funding through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) to step up the fight against the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), an invasive fruit fly threatening fruit crops.
The project is led by Morel Kotomale, associate researcher in agricultural research, and Jean Pierre Kapongo, professor in Collège Boréal's agriculture programs. Their team is working to combine monitoring, reduced spraying frequency, and the use of biological control methods to lessen the impact of this pest on farms in Northeastern Ontario. The insect attacks most temperate-climate fruits, including economically important crops such as cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
In partnership with RIB, three Northern Ontario businesses are involved in the project: Leisure Farms, Ferme Beaulieu Farm, and Aidie Creek Gardens.
"Thanks to the growing expertise of our agriculture programs and the experience of our teams, Collège Boréal continues to fulfill its mandate of supporting the communities it serves - particularly through applied research projects that deliver concrete results for businesses in our regions. We are especially grateful to the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative, whose support is essential to driving the growth of innovative businesses that strengthen food autonomy in Ontario and across Canada."Sabine Bouchard
Director, Research and Innovation Boréal
Quick facts
- Crop losses caused by the spotted wing drosophila can range from 20% to 100% of yields, representing an estimated value of more than $6.8 million annually (Firlej & Vanoosthuyse, 2022).
- The insect was first detected in British Columbia in 2009 and had spread to most Canadian fruit-growing regions by the fall of 2010.
- The funding awarded to Collège Boréal by OAFRI totals $149,962 over two years.
- OAFRI is jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
Related Links
