retentiveness ponds dally an of import role in helping Ontario greenhouse growers pull off tempest body of water . It ’s not clear , however , how they determine water quality as the piss flows from roof to pool and finally to surrounding watersheds and Lake Erie .

Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers ( OGVG ) have launch a projection , supported by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership , with researcher from the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research ( GLIER ) at University of Windsor to shut some of the knowledge opening around these pool .

“ support conception , to produce the farming sector in a sustainable fashion , is a priority of our Government , ” said Lawrence MacAulay , Minister of Agriculture and Agri - Food . “ This investment is a enceinte example of how the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will give sodbuster the prick they need to help them fertilize Canadians while protecting our environs . ”

“ Our government supports this collaborative projection to avail glasshouse growers implement sustainable nutrient direction practices that will improve body of water quality for Lake Erie , ” say Ernie Hardeman , Ontario Minister of Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs .

“ One of the things we want to learn is whether these ponds enhance nutrient retention or contribute to nutrient load in surrounding landmark – and whether sediment in the pool serve as nutrient source or sinks , ” says Nathan Warkentin , OGVG Energy & Environment Analyst .

Through sampling and analytic thinking of water from different retention pond types and sizes at four different site , a phosphorus assessment will be developed focus on Leamington tributaries like Sturgeon Creek . The area is home base to the majority of Ontario ’s greenhouse vegetable producers .

“ We ’ve gotten very adept in our lab at diagnostically looking at shifts in microbic systems in sound versus accented environments , ” explains GLIER ’s Dr. Christopher Weisener . “ Coupled with our body of work on stable isotope , it countenance us look very specifically at what types of cps and chemical transformation are happen – and equate the wallop of current pond systems with those used 15 or 20 years ago . ”

By the remnant of the two year undertaking , the goal is to be able-bodied to develop realistic and applicable management recommendations for greenhouse growers that will help cut P press on Lake Erie .

presently , blanket recommendation exist , but development of strategy for the different pond types will be very valuable for the sector , according to Warkentin ; not only will it help oneself growers ameliorate their environmental carrying into action , but there could be economic welfare too .

“ We are rosy to find this avenue of funding to support engagement between growers and academe and have partnerships like this to cover challenges in the sector , ” adds Dr. Scott Mundle of GLIER .

The project is eligible to receive just over $ 140,000 in monetary value - share funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership .

This project was fund in part through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership , a federal - provincial - territorial initiative . The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the pitch of the Partnership in Ontario .

For more information : Agricultural Adaptation Council381 Elmira Road North , Unit 1Guelph , ON N1 K 1H3P : 519 - 822 - 7554F : 519-822-6248adaptcouncil.org