Investigating conditions favoring Verticillium stripe development and yield losses in canola

The Challenge

Verticillium stripe has recently been identified across all 3 prairie provinces since initially being found in Manitoba in 2014. Verticillium longisporum is a difficult fungus to isolate, complicated to identify, and contributes significantly to yield losses in canola, so more research is needed to manage its spread. Additionally, synergistic interactions have been observed between blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) and verticillium.

The Project

This project will examine the interactions between blackleg and verticillium in detail both in living plants and field conditions, to study the combined effects of the two pathogens on canola crops.

The Results

This section will be updated upon completion of the project.

Grower Benefits

Understanding the interactions between verticillium and blackleg will help design improved disease control strategies and allow growers to make informed decisions about crop rotations, variety selection and timing of control measures, in order to lower the economic losses caused by these pathogens.