Canola Digest 2015 Science Issue
Science

How to protect clubroot resistance

Clubroot is a soil-borne disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae. It’s an emerging threat to canola production. Results of this study show that effective clubroot management relies on cultivar resistance in combination with management practices that reduce viable resting spore populations. lubroot is a soil-borne disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae. It’s an emerging threat to canola...
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Science

Understanding the cellular mechanisms of clubroot disease and developing a new form of clubroot resistance

Key practice: Rather than using genetically resistant varieties or the application of soil amendments and fungicides, this study is working to develop a new, alternative approach to clubroot resistance by silencing pathogen gene expression within the plant itself. Project title, Lead researcher: “Genomics of Clubroot disease development in canola and development of in-plant RNAi to...
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Science

Long-term no-till improves early N availability

Key Practice: With longer periods under no-till management, soil organic matter may attain a new equilibrium level, and nitrogen (N) mineralization may increase. This can result in lower N requirements. Project Title, Lead researcher: “Quantifying the economic and soil quality benefits of long-term no-till using a canola-spring wheat rotation,” 2012-14, Christiane Catellier and Chris Holzapfel,...
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Science

Mapping a route to clubroot resistance

Twelve molecular markers were identified that will be useful in breeding programs including gene pyramiding for durable clubroot resistance.
Key practice: P. brassicae can rapidly adapt to the selection pressure provided by currently available clubroot-resistant canola varieties. For durable clubroot resistance, it will be important to stack resistance genes and rotate them in clubroot-infested fields. Project title, Lead researcher: “Studies on the genetic and molecular basis for clubroot resistance in canola,” 2010-15, Stephen Strelkov,...
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Science

An improved hybrid system for breeding canola Brassica juncea

Key practice: The Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) hybrid system, commonly used in B. napus, will position B. juncea breeders to produce more stress tolerant, blackleg resistant and pod shatter resistant high-yielding canola B. juncea hybrid varieties. Project title, Lead researcher: “Improving the Ogura CMS hybrid system and establishing heterotic gene pools for hybrid breeding...
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