Dr. Yosra Menchari and her team are exploring weed management tools and techniques to support the expansion of Canada’s organic cranberry sector. Current organic weed management relies heavily on time-consuming and costly manual weeding. Dr. Menchari will evaluate an integrated approach including electrical weeding, bio-herbicides, gibberellic acid, and select cranberry cultivars for cranberry productivity and profitability.
Research Objectives
- Development of electrical weeding machine and test under commercial conditions as well as identify optimal use parameters
- Determine optimal bio-herbicide application strategy (application timing/frequency and rate) for six different products
- Determine the optimal rate and application time of gibberellic acid (GA3), a plant growth regulator produced by fungal fermentation
- Evaluate the performance of 19 cultivars under Quebec climatic conditions in terms of productivity, fruit quality, frost tolerance and winter damages
- Evaluate the effect of new weed management tools on cranberry productivity and profitability
- Develop an organic integrated weed management strategy for cranberry crops
Related Resources
Progress and Results
Research Update (March 2026)
KEY TAKEAWAYS (PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS)
- Bio-herbicides (BioLink® Herbicide EC and BELOUKHA® Agricultural Herbicide) were tested for the second year in QC and BC. Data analysis is underway.
- Electric weeding was most effective during the pre-flowering stage, with slow speed and the lowest bar height achieving nearly 75% efficiency; commercial-scale trials are planned for 2026.
- Biostimulant treatments did not produce significant differences in the cultivars tested; further trials are planned for 2026.
- Field trials combining gibberellin (GA) with bio-herbicide (BioLink) for long-term control of field horsetail were inconclusive; further trials are planned for 2026.
Research Update (March 2025)
KEY TAKEAWAYS (PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS)
- Field trials were initiated including evaluation of bioherbicides and cultivars in Quebec and a gibberellic acid plant growth regulator in BC.
- Researchers noted that the bioherbicides (BioLink® Herbicide EC and BELOUKHA® Agricultural Herbicide) can cause significant short-term injury; however, BioLink® Herbicide EC appeared to be effective across a broader range of weed species.
- Researchers completed development of an electrical weeding device which will be tested in the field in the summer of 2025.
Additional Links and Resources
Report (Mar 2025) Preliminary results: Evaluating the Efficacy of Organic Acids Wiping Applications for Controlling Major Weeds in Organic Cranberry Production
Background Information
From the research activity proposal:
Weed management is one of the main barriers to the conversion of conventional production to organic farming in cranberries. In organic agriculture, weed management strategies heavily rely on manual weeding, a labor-intensive and time-consuming practice, resulting in significant costs for growers. The main objective of the project is to develop an integrated and sustainable weed management strategy in cranberry production based on organically acceptable methods.
More specifically, we aim to develop a series of new tools and techniques (electrical, cultural by testing different cultivars, bio-herbicides, Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) and bio-stimulants) to decrease yield loss attributed to weeds, decrease expenses related to the control of weeds in organic production and propose alternatives to the use of herbicides for conventional producers. Altogether, these objectives will allow an increase of productivity and profitability through reduction of labour costs on cranberry farms while reducing pesticide use and/or their associated risks.
Field experiments will be conducted in three different organic sites: the BC Cranberry Research farm in Delta (BC) and Canneberges Sakota inc. and Entreprises forestières SHGL, both located in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (QC) to assess the effect of these new tools on cranberry productivity and profitability. In order to develop an integrated weed management strategy different combinations of the optimized new tools will be tested.
Contributing Partners
Meet the Research Team
Dr. Yosra Menchari
Dr. Yosra Menchari is an Assistant Professor of Weed Science in the Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science at Université Laval. With a background in agricultural engineering and a Ph.D. in earth sciences from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, she focuses her research on understanding how herbicides affect weed populations in crops, especially in terms of developing resistance. Her research combines biology, agronomy, and molecular scientific approaches to find sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions for managing crop pests.
Activity 11 Research Team
Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
Martine Dorais | Université Laval |
Jichul Bae | AAC, Agassiz |
Charitha A. Jayasinghege | AAC, Agassiz |
We asked Dr. Menchari
What got you interested in this research project?
Weeds are a major problem to conversion to organic fields in cranberries. Giving the importance of this crop and after discussion with the different collaborators, I was motivated to work on this research project and develop new weed management tools.
Where is your research taking place?
In the BC Cranberry Research farm in Delta (BC) and Canneberges Sakota inc. and Entreprises forestières SHGL, both located in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (QC)
What drew you to organic agriculture research?
Having always worked on herbicide resistance, I am aware of the risks of pesticides on health and environment. One of my research goals is to develop sustainable and pesticide-free solutions. Organic agriculture research would be a good way to do this.
How are you encouraging or training the next generation of scientists?
I foster active learning with students by stimulating their critical thinking so they can take the lead in raising problems and solving them. I also involve them in knowledge and technology transfer (KTT) activities to develop their professional network.
Outside of your research pursuits, what is an activity you enjoy doing in your free time?
Traveling
