Monitoring changes in Leptosphaeria maculans races and blackleg impact on canola after the introduction of the new R-genes Rlm2, Rlm4 and Rlm7

The Challenge

Genetically resistant canola cultivars play an important role in blackleg management. New resistance genes, Rlm2, Rlm4 and Rlm7, are able to provide further disease resistance. However, race changes in blackleg populations can break down resistance, creating a need for early detection of blackleg race shift.

The Project

Continue monitoring of blackleg populations on the prairies following the introduction of new R-genes while improving molecular markers for avirulence gene profiling and assessing the impact of improved blackleg control on reducing seed contamination.

The Results

This section will be updated upon completion of the project.

Grower Benefits

Continued monitoring of blackleg will provide important information on race dynamics, guiding blackleg-resistance breeding, R-gene rotation recommendations, and allow the canola industry to stay ahead of shifting pathogen populations.