Science Edition 2017—Key result: Canola is relatively insensitive to increasing row spacing. Farmers have many factors to consider in determining their optimal row spacing, including weed and residue management strategies. Project title, Principal investigator: “Investigating wider row spacing in no-till canola: Implications for weed competition, response to nitrogen fertilizer, and seeding rate recommendations (2013-2016)” Chris Holzapfel, Indian...
Read More Science Edition 2017—Key result: This study quantified how reducing blackleg can substantially improve canola yields. Growers should continue to select blackleg-resistant canola varieties and follow best-practice recommendations to manage this disease. Project title, Principal investigator: “Development of a blackleg yield loss model and assessment of fungicide resistance in Western Canadian populations of Leptosphaeria maculans,” Stephen Strelkov, University...
Read More Science Edition 2017—Key result: Plant breeders have made significant progress towards transfer of blackleg resistance from the B. carinata genome into B. napus canola. Project title, Principal investigator: “Molecular cytogenetics of blackleg resistance in the Brassica B-genome, and introgression of resistance into B. napus through recurrent backcrossing,” Habibur Rahman, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University...
Read More Science Edition 2017—Key Result: This study found that matching genetic resistance to dominant pathotype groups in a field is possible, but more work is needed to make this practical for long-term cultivar rotations and overall blackleg management. Project title, Principal investigators: “Development of canola cultivar blackleg resistance groups: Feasibility evaluation,” Ralph Lange, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures...
Read More Science Edition 2017—Key Result: Significant advances have been made in understanding the role of primary and secondary zoospores in clubroot disease development. This could contribute to new and effective sources of clubroot resistance. Project title, Principal investigators: “The host-pathogen interaction of Plasmodiophora brassicae and canola,” Sheau-Fang Hwang, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Funding: Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola...
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