Kentville Research and Development Centre

The Kentville Research and Development Centre (Kentville RDC) was established in 1911 in Kentville, Nova Scotia. It is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres. 

The Centre is associated with one satellite location:

• Nappan Research Farm, located near Amherst, Nova Scotia

Areas of Research

The Kentville RDC delivers an integrated program of agriculture and agri-food research and technology transfer along the innovation continuum, which includes: germplasm development, sustainable and environmentally resilient primary production, postharvest handling and storage, and food attributes and safety. 

Research at Kentville RDC addresses regionally prominent horticultural crops such as tree fruits, berry crops, wine grapes and vegetables. Research at the Nappan Research Farm focusses on forage and livestock management. Kentville RDC is also a Minor Use Pesticide site that conducts research trials on solutions to grower-identified pest problems.

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

Sector Needs

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

• Horticulture

Kentville RDC develops new cultivated varieties of small fruits (e.g., strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and grapes) and studies crop physiology to optimize primary production techniques, increase yields and minimize losses. A multidisciplinary approach is used to study crop disease and pests in a period of changing climate and intensive production, and to reduce chemical inputs.

• Agri-food

Research is conducted to develop opportunities related to health-promoting phytochemicals in horticultural crops; mitigate microbiological contamination (Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli) of fresh and minimally processed horticultural products; investigate natural antimicrobials of bacterial and plant origin against spoilage and pathogenic organisms; and develop postharvest technologies to maintain fruit and vegetable quality during extended commercial storage. A new state-of-the-art research winery was completed in 2019, as well as a controlled-environment facility.

• Agro-ecosystem resilience

Research focuses on identifying, monitoring, and integrating crop management strategies to optimize agricultural inputs, enhance crop productivity, improve soil/water quality, manage nutrients, mitigate greenhouse gases and the effects of climate change, and reduce impacts from invasive and known pests. Kentville RDC also investigates climate adaptation strategies and tools for the Atlantic region.

• Forages and beef

Scientists are developing new germplasm and utilizing novel technologies to understand forage/ruminant interaction at the molecular and metabolic level and their impact on the productivity of beef, dairy and sheep production systems.

• Biodiversity and bioresources

Research is carried out to increase the productivity, quality and resiliency of berry crops and tree fruits by identifying sources of genetic variability to support genetic improvement. Activities also focus on modifying the landscape to enhance pollinator populations to support the productive capacity of the agricultural sector.

• Minor use pesticide program

Meet our Scientists

Find out more about the scientists at Kentville 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.