Vicky Lévesque, Ph. D.

With the intention of improving degraded horticultural soils and agroecosystems and providing more ecosystem services, my research activities aim to:

1. Improve our knowledge of management practices that influence physicochemical properties and microbial diversity as it relates to soil health;

2. Use beneficial microorganisms as allies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses in crops and to improve efficiency of nutrient and water utilization;

3. Investigate innovative clean technologies such as biofumigation, anaerobic soil disinfestation and organic amendment of soil to optimize plant growth and productivity.

My research program contributes directly to three strategic objectives within the Horticulture and Biodiversity science strategies of the Science and Technology Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. These are i) increasing agricultural productivity, ii) enhancing environmental performance and iii) improving attributes for non-food uses.