As published on Niagara College Research & Innovation on May 25, 2023. Written by Rita Sterne, PhD, Project Manager of the Greenhouse Technology Network. Agriculture is changing rapidly and so is indoor horticulture. Growers of flowers, trees, and vegetables that support human health and wellbeing year-round—and their supporting value chain…
Success Stories
Niagara College-led Greenhouse Technology Network expands membership
As published by Niagara College on May 4, 2023. Brock University and the University of Windsor are the newest members of Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a Niagara College-led consortium of academic research institutions supporting the research needs of greenhouse and related technology businesses through applied projects. In 2019, the new…
NC helps Quick Plug identify formulation of plug media to successfully encourage faster rooting of cannabis cuttings
Quick Plug wanted to produce a novel formulation of solid plug media applicable to several different crops, which would effectively reduce time to root emergence, ‘rooting’, without compromising plant health. Quick Plug turned to Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) to conduct growing trials to evaluate two of their novel formulations.
Biostimulant allows local farmers to increase yields and lower production costs
MetaFLO Technologies (“MetaFLO”) is a Mississauga-based company that markets and distributes chemical reagents with application potential in a variety of industries, including the agricultural sector. The company is in the process of expanding its portfolio to include a new reagent: an algae-based, organic polymer formulated for use as a biostimulant.
Controlled Environment Production of Hydroponic Fodder
Intravision Light Systems, a leading provider of high-fidelity controlled environment and LED lighting systems, partnered with University of Guelph’s Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF) to develop new knowledge and methodologies to optimize the production of fodder crops in controlled environments.
A new approach to controlled environment farming
Ontario-based AgricUltra Advancements has developed a turn-key solution for vertical farming: a self-contained unit controlling every aspect of production from water and nutrients to heat, humidity and run-off… Through the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), AgricUltra has teamed up with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to develop a prototype cradle that brings this technology to indoor vertical farming.
App tracks greenhouse energy to determine efficiencies
360 Energy has been working on a secure cloud-based software that can collect energy-related data directly from greenhouse control systems. David Arkell, President and CEO of 360 Energy, turned to Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) team to determine how to make the software appealing to greenhouse growers worldwide.
Validating a new plant-growing technology in the greenhouse
A Toronto-based mining company, International Zeolite Inc., has been working to build a North American market for its environmentally friendly NEREA® product. The technology directly embeds nutrients in the honeycomb-like zeolite mineral, making it absorbent.
Creating a better indoor microgarden pod for home gardeners
Biotechnology company Plantaform Technology Inc. has a solution for budding home indoor gardeners – a prototype microgarden pod that will allow consumers to easily grow a variety of herbs and leafy green vegetables even in a small living space.
“Pivotal” research for new market
Agricultural company Northern Hemp Specialists Ltd. works with clients on finding organic solutions for growth and pathogen resistance for all plants, trees, ornamental flowers and even vineyards. More recently, they’ve found a customer base from medical and recreational cannabis growers, a sector that requires chemical and solvent-free organic soil products.