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...

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...

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...

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...

Key Result: Improved equipment sanitation is a rapid and cost-effective strategy to manage the spread of clubroot in canola. Agricultural, oil and gas, and construction industries can apply these techniques. Project title, Principal investigators: “Evaluating physical and chemical methods for cleaning and disinfecting tools, machinery, equipment and other hard surfaces contaminated with clubroot,” Ron Howard,...