Seed & Soil-borne Diseases - What s New? 2012 Agronomy Update Crop Establishment Ted Labun Syngenta Canada Ltd. Capri Hotel & Convention Centre Red Deer Alberta January 17 & 18 2012. Agenda Background Disease survey results (2009-2011) Seed-borne Fusarium spp. Update Future Solutions Seed Treatment Perspective
Seed & Soil-borne Diseases: What s New? 2012 Agronomy Update Background Seed & Soil-Borne Disease Complex: Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium Impact emergence, stand establishment & yield in many crops Cause seed decay, seedling blight and pre/post-emergence damping-off. Seedlings can also develop root rot impact uptake of water and nutrients Why a Disease Survey 2009 2011? Growers have moved to soil conservation practices Shorter crop rotations
Scope of Disease Survey 157 Fields Surveyed 2009 to 2011 Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec AB SK MB Focus Canola Cereals Pulses Soybeans ON QC
Survey Methodology in the Field Timing: 1-3 weeks after planting. Young Seedlings Both representative and selective Begin at one end of field, walk approximately 10 metres into field (10 paces) Sample seedlings + sampled 50 g of soil Sample diamond pattern with each side of the diamond being approximately 250 metres Sampling was every 50 metres (20 samples total). Each plant sample goes into a separate labelled paper bag. Soil is combined in the plastic bag as it is sampled. Field Diamond sampling pattern 50 m 250 m
Survey Results based on Post-emergence Damping-off not Seed Decay or Pre-emergence Damping-off Infected Healthy Early Season Seedling Blight (survey timing) Inoculated CK Non - Inoculated CK Pre-emergent Damping-Off/Seed Rot Note: Would not be able to survey in the field 2011 Field Trial Saskatoon SK Late Post-emergence Damping-Off (Edmonton AB)
Samples shipped to the lab Seedlings were washed, surface disinfested, and photographed Crown and root of each seedling was plated on water agar Soil Sample Example of Canola Seedlings Plated Crown Roots
Next Step: Characterization - Host Range/Virulence Tests (2009-2010) Laboratory/Growthroom Isolation of Rhizoctonia Characterization of Rhizoctonia isolates Anastomosis group (AG) Host range/virulence
Field Survey RESULTS - Characterization of Rhizoctonia AGs AG 2-1 AG 4 AG 2-2 AG 5
Field Survey RESULTS - Host Range/Virulence Tests Hosts Peas Wheat Soybeans Lentils Canola Control
Survey Field RESULTS Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:D5 Location:Sexsmith AB Isolate from Canola Symptoms in the field Healthy Seedling Infected Seedlings Infected Seedling
Survey Field RESULTS Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:D5 Location:Sexsmith AB (Isolate from Canola) Host/Virulence Studies from Rhizoctonia isolates (photos taken 7 days after planting) Sexsmith AB
Survey Field RESULTS Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:M1 Location:Medicine Hat AB Isolate from Durum Wheat Symptoms in the field Healthy Seedling Infected Seedling
Survey Field RESULTS Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:M1 Location:Medicine Hat AB - Isolate from Durum Wheat (photos taken 7 days after planting) Medicine Hat AB
Field Survey RESULTS Host Range/Virulence Tests Summary of Results 157 fields surveyed: AG 2-1, AG 2-2, AG 4, AG 5 R. solani recovered from 31% of fields surveyed R. solani isolated from 5 to 75% of plants Note: In some cases the shorter rotations higher incidence Recovery greater from seedling crowns
Future Seed Treatment Solutions in canola Untreated Check Pre-emergence Damping-off Severe Seed Decay Caused by Rhizoctonia 3 Fungicides 3 Different modes of action 2 Systemic/1 Contact
2011 Planting - What about Seed-borne Fusarium in Cereals? Same Seed Lot 13% Fusarium spp. 1% Fusarium spp. 80.5% Germination 95% Germination Untreated 2 fungicides 2 modes of action contact & systemic Treated Future Seed Treatment Solutions in Cereals
Seed & Soil-born Diseases What New? Conclusion: Seed & Soil-Borne Diseases are important. Recommendations/Management Tools Best Seed Quality Seed Testing Germination, Vigor, Disease Diagnostics Crop Rotations Seed Treatment Technology will Promote Faster Emergence Strong Stand Establishment Optimize Target Plant Populations Support Target Yield Potential
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