Science Edition 2016—Key result: This study continued work initiated by earlier research which showed that parasitism of diamondback moth larvae and pupae can be relatively high early in the season. Canola producers are encouraged to carefully monitor populations, waiting a few days after nominal thresholds are reached to provide beneficial insects an opportunity to control larvae and...
Read More Science Edition 2016—Key result: The study found that seed treatment can reduce leafhopper feeding and therefore suppress aster yellows (AY). It also produced a five-point rating scale to score canola plants for AY damage and help predict yield loss. Project title, Principal investigators: “Seed treatments as an alternative method of controlling leafhoppers and aster yellows disease in...
Read More 
Science Edition 2016—Key Result: Researchers were able to develop and validate nine real-time qPCR assays targeting eight different phytoplasma (aster yellows) species along with P. brassicae (clubroot) and L. maculans (blackleg). This project provides tools for producers and regulators to obtain timely information on plant disease prevalence and spread, which will aid efforts to contain and control...
Read More Science Edition 2016—Key Result: The southeast Peace region has the highest intensity of canola acres and short canola rotations in the western Canadian Prairies. However, this study suggests that this may not be the best choice for growers in terms of long term yield, cropping system sustainability, soil moisture use, root health and economics. Project Title, Principal...
Read More 
Science Edition 2016—Key result: The current system for monitoring potential bertha armyworm outbreaks is based on a pheromone trap network developed in the 1970s (Steck et al. 1979) and improved in the 1980s (Struble et al. 1984). This study tested the efficiency of this system in the context of current canola production and determined the monitoring and...
Read More
