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Online tool for growers expands to fight fungicide resistance

Manage Resistance Now, a resistance management website, has added fungicide best practice information to help growers minimize the development of resistance in their crops.

The site, ManageResistanceNow.ca, is an online resource launched last November by CropLife Canada to help growers minimize the development of herbicide, fungicide and insecticide resistance on their farms and promote environmental sustainability.

“Fungicide resistance affects various crops grown across Canada. In fact, it is already an issue in pulses, potatoes and fruit crops,” said Pierre Petelle, president and CEO of CropLife Canada, in a statement. “I’m pleased we can now offer growers access to information that will help them manage fungicide resistance on their farms.”

Featuring resources to help growers manage herbicide resistance, ManageResistanceNow.ca has now evolved to provide current and practical information for growers to proactively manage fungicide resistance.

Effectively managing fungicide resistance requires multiple strategies to promote both healthy plants and fungicide longevity. This will ultimately help maintain yield and crop quality. The resources highlight three main factors that contribute to the development of fungicide resistance – agronomic factors, disease risk, and fungicide risk – otherwise known as the risk triangle.

“Disease risk is often dictated by weather conditions and the presence of the pathogen,” explained Petelle. “In order to lower disease risk, growers must manage the other two elements of the risk triangle. For example, it’s vital to use agronomic practices that promote healthy plants and to select fungicides strategically.”

In addition to providing best management practices, the website features case studies profiling growers, crop advisors and researchers from across the country who share their experiences with fungicide resistance. In the near future, resources will be added to help growers manage insecticide resistance.

The Manage Resistance Now initiative also recently supported the development of the Resistance Management Specialist (RMS) Designation offered by the Ontario Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs). Sixteen CCAs successfully received their RMS Designation this spring.