High-Performance Greenhouse Complex

Université Laval, Québec, Québec
What the facility does

Greenhouse growing, irrigation, sustainable development, confinement, biopesticides

Areas of expertise

The high-performance greenhouse complex is a reference in terms of research infrastructure. Its facilities are among the most sophisticated in Canada and North America. Recognized for their energy efficiency, they enable highly precise, automated control of the greenhouse climate and considerably reduce environmental emissions. The infrastructure contributes to cutting-edge research in the fields of greenhouse production (cropping systems and greenhouse environments, peat growing substrates, phytoprotection, agri-environment), genomics (tree genomics and forest pathogen genomics) and biotechnology (plant biotechnology and crop genomics). The confinement greenhouses enable Plant Pest Containment Level 2 (PPC-2) tests. The greenhouses and related equipment are used by both university and private researchers.

Research services

Greenhouse growing tests (market-garden and ornamental plants), phytoprotection tests, development of sustainable development technology, development of new horticultural products.

Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Chemical industries
  • Clean technology
  • Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
  • Consumer durables
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Mining, minerals and metals
  • Policy and governance
Specialized lab Equipment Function
High-performance greenhouses Eight 150-square-metre compartments for growing on tables or slabs Testing of long-duration crops under permanent climate control
  One 50 m2 compartment for growing on tables Testing of long-duration crops under permanent climate control
  Fertilizer recovery and recirculation system Closed-loop work and reduction in inputs
  Rainwater recovery system Use of rainwater for all steps in greenhouse growing
  Nutrijet fertilizer mixer (per volume or according to EC and/or pH) Use of rainwater, tap water and reverse osmosis water to make fertilizers
PPC-2 confinement greenhouses (up to PPC-3 in the winter) Six 50-square-metre compartments and two 75-square-metre compartments Pathogen tests and tests of new biological and chemical products under development
Forestry greenhouses Six 25-square-metre compartments and two 50-square-metre compartments  
  Propagation tunnel  
Technology transfer greenhouses (ITA Saint-Hyacinthe) Four technology-transfer greenhouse compartments  
Growth chambers Four Conviron PGW40 growth chambers 1.5-square-metre chambers with a range from 4°C to 45°C, with T5 lamps and possibility to connect light emitting diodes  “LEDs”
  Plant dryers Nine dryers of various sizes for grains and plants of all sizes
  Mills Dry plant material grinders
  • Harnois
  • Hortau
  • Ferme Onesime Pouliot
  • Nature canneberges
  • Canneberges Bieler
  • Veg-Pro