Researchers developed and tested a proof of concept for a rapid farm-level detection test for blackleg disease as a potential method for predicting resistance or susceptibility to uncharacterized L. maculans isolates present in the field.
Clubroot in canola is a destructive soilborne disease that spreads mainly via contaminated soil carried from field to field by equipment.
Researchers from across western Canada initiated a five-year project in 2007 to study key insect pest species across the Prairie Ecosystem, as well as monitor potential new invasive species and their natural enemies.
Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Swift Current, Saskatchewan conducted a three-year project to evaluate canola and other crucifer cultivars for food and bio-diesel fuel production on saline lands.
Producers are growing canola with much higher oil content compared to 10 years ago. Current recommendations for safe storage of canola are based on previous lower oil content varieties.
Root maggots, principally the cabbage maggot, have increased in incidence and damage severity in canola in all three Prairie Provinces. Currently, estimates of average annual losses from root maggot damage range from $20 million to $75 million; in years of severe infestation, losses may reach $100 million.
Crucifer-feeding flea beetles, principally Phyllotreta cruciferae (crucifer flea beetle) and P. striolata (striped flea beetle) are the most economically damaging insect pests of canola on the Canadian prairies.
Given the extreme wet conditions in Southeast Saskatchewan during the seeding season of 2011, producers attempted to use innovative ways of seeding their canola.
Canola can be significantly affected by diseases such as sclerotinia stem rot, blackleg and alternaria black spot resulting in loss of crop productivity and quality.
Traditionally swathing is recommended for napus canola over straight-combining because of the risks of yield loss due to shattering.
Blackleg is a serious disease of canola caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans. A number of different sources of partial resistance genes (Rlm) to blackleg disease have been identified and characterized in several Brassica napus cultivars.
In a previous study (Project Code: CARP2006-02) AAFC researchers determined the race structure of Leptosphaeria maculans, the species responsible for the most damaging symptoms of blackleg of canola in Canada.
