Insect/Disease/Weeds
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
- Project Status: In Progress
- Principal Investigators: Dr. Thomas Turkington
- Project Dates: April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2028
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Abstract/Summary:
The goal is to further develop and formalize the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN), including annual in-person and/or online meetings. The group also will look to further develop and refine survey protocols, and continue work on disease information and awareness initiatives for a wider range of crops and diseases.
The PCDMN Quick Disease Reporter Tool will be refined, and work will be done to develop disease assessment and risk assessment tools, as well as blackleg pathogen mapping. The network is also continuing their weekly cereal rust risk forecasts from mid-May to early June; new for 2023 is the addition of oat crown rust.
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
Insect Response to Climate Change and Ag-Inputs across the Prairies
- Project Status: In Progress
- Principal Investigators: Dr. Meghan Vankosky
- Project Dates: April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2028
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Abstract/Summary:
The project has 3 Objectives.
First: Understand insect pest population dynamics and forecast pest populations. The project will evaluate the response of insect pests to climate variables to understand their population dynamics, outbreak frequency, and recent changes to insect distribution and relative abundance, using experiments and by continuing annual insect monitoring by the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.
Second: Assess the current status of insecticide resistance in western Canada. This portion will evaluate the current susceptibility of insect pests of cereal, pulse, and oilseed crops to registered insecticides commonly used in western Canada.
Third: Develop new insect information resources. Lastly, the project will create information resources to augment insect outreach activities in western Canada.
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
- Project Status: Completed
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Abstract/Summary:
This survey provides a record of seed-borne pathogen trends in pulse and cereal crops and allows for continued tracking of diseases over time. The interim seed quality data, from the time of harvest until the end of December, provided early insights into seed quality trends and helped to identify potential pathogens of concern and their prevalence across the province.
The survey is intended to provide a benchmark for annual seed-borne pathogen levels across the province. Low disease levels of seed produced during 2021 has been a positive outcome of a challenging growing season. Largely attributed to extreme drought conditions during the growing season and at the time of harvest, interim data indicates a large proportion of pathogen-free pulse (lentil, field pea, chickpea) and cereal (barley, durum, oat, and spring wheat) seed.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture compiled the maps, which show the mean infection levels of the samples as well as the historical trends across all pathogens and crops.
This project was funded by the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (SaskWheat), Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), and Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission (SaskOats)
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
- Project Status: In Progress
- Principal Investigators: Dr. Christian Willenborg
- Project Dates: April 2018 - March 2023
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Abstract/Summary:
Wild oat management is perhaps most challenging in oat crops because the genetic similarity between the two species precludes selective control with herbicides. However, it may be possible to utilize new technology with current herbicides to better manage wild in oat crops. This project sought to assess the competitive ability of modern oat cultivars, as well as to test whether combining inter-row spraying with weed wicking could improve wild oat control.
Multiple inter-row and wicking applications of herbicides at the 2- and 4-leaf crop stages provided the best combination of crop yield and minimum wild oat in the harvested sample. By employing inter-row spraying with modern competitive oat cultivars, growers should improve wild oat management in tame oat production.
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
- Project Status: Completed
- Principal Investigators: Paul Bullock (University of Manitoba) and Randy Kutcher (University of Saskatchewan)
- Project Dates: April 2018 - March 2023
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Abstract/Summary:
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease affecting cereal crops in Canada that reduces productivity and produces mycotoxins in the grain. This fungal disease is caused by a number of Fusarium species of which Fusarium graminearum is considered the most important because of its abundance, its toxin producing ability and its impact on grain quality and yield. Currently the most important practices recommended to cereal growers for FHB management include non-host crops in the rotation, resistant cultivars, and application of fungicides.
Cultural management of FHB of cereals, in particular crop rotation or the sequence of crops grown, can play a major role in an integrated management approach to FHB (Gilbert and Haber 2013), as well as many other pest and agronomic issues. However, there are no studies in Canada that clearly indicate the impact on FHB of various cereals due to the previous crop(s) cultivated.
The goal of this research is to improve yield and quality in Canada through the implementation of effective crop sequences to mitigate FHB.
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
- Project Status: Completed
- Principal Investigators: Sheryl A. Tittlemier, Richard Blagden, Jason Chan, Mike Roscoe, Kerri Pleskach
- Abstract/Summary: This project was a collaborative venture with funding contributed by the Canadian Grain Commission, the Prairie Oat Growers Association, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, and the Canada-Saskatchewan Growing Forward 2 bi-lateral agreement.
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
- Project Status: Completed
- Abstract/Summary: Over the four years (2014-2017) that field surveys were conducted in commercial oat fields to evaluate the prevalence of oat leaf blotch pathogens P. avenae was the most often identified, being present in 59% of the 160 fields surveyed. Cochliobolus sativus was present in 23% of surveyed fields while S. avenae was only identified in 3% of fields. The ranking prevalence of these pathogens was consistent across all four years and differs from prior surveys conducted where S. avenae was observed in all years and with greater prevalence than C. sativus in most years (2011-2013).
Research Topic: Insect/Disease/Weeds
- Project Status: Completed
- Abstract/Summary: The study takes a look at the occurrence of toxigenic Fusarium and Penicillium fungi and their associated mycotoxins, and an investigation of the fate of Fusarium and Penicillium species and their associated mycotoxins during processing of oats.
