May 6, 2009, Vineland, Ont. – Officials from the University of Guelph
and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) have signed an
agreement to collaborate on research initiatives.
May 6, 2009, Vineland, Ont. – Officials from the University of Guelph and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) have signed an agreement to collaborate on research initiatives.
The agreement, signed by Kevin Hall, Guelph’s vice-president of research, and Jim Brandle, Vineland’s chief executive officer, is expected to yield new ideas and products for Canada’s grape growers and winemakers, fruit producers and professional landscapers, ranging from new fruit cultivars with health-boosting antioxidants to wider food choices at the supermarket.
Both partners will conduct research and develop products for the multi-million-dollar agri-food industry, said Rich Moccia, the University of Guelph’s interim associate vice-president of research, agri-food and partnerships.
The agreement builds on research collaborations involving Guelph faculty members in the department of plant agriculture and will allow Guelph scientists to explore new research collaborations at Vineland, especially in three main fields:
- Consumer insights and product innovation – A new sensory analysis laboratory, directed by a sensory and consumer science expert, will allow researchers to conduct consumer and marketing tests of new wines, juices and horticultural products.
- Applied genomics – A world-leading researcher in applied genomics will use biotechnology and plant breeding to help develop horticulture crops to increase yield, resist diseases and meet consumer demand.
- Horticultural production systems – Researchers in Guelph and Vineland will develop horticultural technologies and production methods, including cultivation techniques, greenhouse technologies and pest management.
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