2024/25 Research Projects

Research projects are awarded through a competitive review process to ensure academic rigour and value for money. Projects approved in the 2024/25 funding call will be added as administrative processes are completed.


Data-driven sustainable soilless growing media formulation for container plant production


Lead Applicant: Sheng Yang

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: NA

Rural Ontario and COVID-19: Identifying the road to full economic recovery


Lead Applicant: Leith Deacon

Research Priority: Strong Rural Communities

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: NA

Allele mining for yield, resistance to soybean cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome using a genetic diversity panel of soybeans derived from Canadian and Chinese crosses


Lead Applicant: Istvan Rajcan

Research Priority: Innovative Products & Product Improvement

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre – Elora

Abiotic stress mitigation in Ontario horticultural crops: Induction of systemic resilience


Lead Applicant: Praveen Saxena

Research Priority: Sustainable Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Elora, Simcoe

An on-farm assessment of seedbed properties, seeding performance, and stand establishment in high-residue cropping systems


Lead Applicant: Joshua Nasielski

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: NA

Developing novel hover fly (Diptera: Syrphidae) biological control species for use in greenhouse horticulture and floriculture


Lead Applicant: Andrew Young

Research Priority: Plant Health & Protection

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: NA

Exploring biosecurity knowledge, attitudes and practices among Ontario sheep and goat producers


Lead Applicant: Kelsey Spence

Research Priority: Animal Health & Welfare

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: NA

Hexanal as a mobiliser to channel nutrients into fruits and mitigating bitterpit in apple


Lead Applicant: Jayasankar Subramanian

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: NA

Developing commercial scale agronomic practices and the value chain for sesame seed in Ontario


Lead Applicant: Rene Van Acker

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe

Investigating cultural management practices for emerging hops pests and their impact on crop yield and quality


Lead Applicant: Rene Van Acker

Research Priority: Plant Health & Protection

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe