Fredericton Research and Development Centre

The Fredericton Research and Development Centre (Fredericton RDC) was established in 1912 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. It is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres. 

The Centre is associated with two satellite locations:

• Main laboratory and office complex in Fredericton; and

• Benton Ridge sub-station – which supports germplasm enhancement activities.

Areas of Research

The Fredericton RDC conducts research on potato cropping systems at all scales. One focus has research scientists collaborating on innovating to bring novel traits, new end uses, disease and pest resistance into potato germplasm using advanced technologies. The Centre’s Potato Breeding Team uses the germplasm to bring new varieties of potato to Canadian and international markets. Other teams look at the performance of crop production systems and how to incorporate a variety of crops, techniques and technologies into potato cropping systems which will grow yields and profits while improving and conserving soil and water, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Centre’s science also looks toward the threats to our production systems, to the new diseases and pests we can expect to challenge us as the climate changes and we assist our agricultural industries to be robust and resilient.

Search Research projects from the Fredericton Research and Development Centre to learn more about what we do.

Sector Needs

The Fredericton RDC carries out innovative research, development, technology and knowledge transfer activities in support of the AAFC's Strategic Plan for Science, which includes: 

• Horticulture

Develops potato germplasm for different production areas of Canada and coordinates with the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre to advance potato varieties for Western Canada. New varieties include traits for enhanced yield, environmental sustainability, health benefits, and use in bioproduct applications. Research is conducted to understand potato resistance to bacterial and viral pathogens and insect pests, and study the behavior to develop new ways to control potato diseases.

• Agro-ecosystem resilience

Research focuses on understanding nutrient dynamics and agro-chemical losses to the environment in potato production systems and developing technologies to predict nutrient deficiency. Fredericton RDC collaborates with AAFC’s Charlottetown Research and Development Centre to develop and evaluate beneficial management practices for enhanced efficiency and environmental sustainability of potato production.

• Biodiversity and bioresources

The Plant Gene Resources Potato Collection collects, maintains and generates potato germplasm and their wild relatives. Scientists develop DNA fingerprinting and genotyping technologies to manage potato genetic resources and select core accessions for conservation, research and utilization.

Meet our Scientists

Find out more about the scientists at Fredericton Research and Development Centre through their profiles below.

You can also visit the Fields of Science campaign featuring 11 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists from coast to coast. Discover why they chose to pursue a career in agriculture and learn more about their research.