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Manitoba Canola Growers launch Pathogen Surveillance Initiative

Feb. 18, 2014 - Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) has launched the Pathogen Surveillance Initiative. A grower-led effort, the first project of the Initiative will focus on technologies for the detection of low concentrations of clubroot in Manitoba.

"We have seen the real impact clubroot infections (CR) have on Brassica crops including canola in other areas of Western Canada and want to be proactive to protect the income of Manitoba's 9,000 canola growers from this devastating soil-borne plant pest, " said Ed Rempel, President of the MCGA, in a news release.

Rempel indicates the Initiative will establish a specialized 'molecular' laboratory to collect, process and analyze soil samples for presence of clubroot at very low levels and before plant symptoms are present. Lab results will allow affected growers to adopt the management practices needed to minimize spread of the disease and protect their canola yields.

February 19, 2014  By Top Crop Manager