CLUBROOT - Fusarium and Weeds "On the Radar 2012"

December 12, 2011 - Delburne Community Hall and Innisfail Golf Club

Valuable Presentation Information:
   Red Deer County Clubroot Policy and Weed Control Programs
   Clubroot Update by Dr. Ron Howard
   Clubroot Info presented by Dan Orchard
   Fusarium Head Blight Update
   Blackleg Info presented by Dan Orchard
   Diseases on Canola - Blackleg and Sclerotina

Experts:
Dr. Ron Howard - Plant Pathology Research Scientist from Alta Ag.
Reviewed Clubroot Biology, Symptoms, Economic Importance, Provincial Clubroot Survey Results, the Clubroot Management Plan, and Best Management Practices.

Dan Orchard - from The Canola Council of Canada
Talked on Clubroot Experiences and Outlook, sharing Clubroot Experiences in 2011, Saskatchewan's Situation, Adoption of BMPs, Research Highlights, and the Canola Council Awareness Programs. Dan knows Canola and Clubroot - he was one of the first to find clubroot in canola in 2002.

Mike Harding - Plant Pathology Technologist from the Pest Surveillance Branch at Alberta Ag.
Provided an update on Blackleg and Sclerotina that included National/International Blackleg Strategic Plan, Background Information, Economic Importance, Provincial Survey Results, Best Management, as well as Canola Production and Blackleg in China.

Community Ag Talk Seminars Report
By Art Preachuk, Red Deer County Agricultural Manager

Clubroot has been found in Red Deer County. The Community Ag Talk Seminars (CATS) held on Dec. 12^th provided valuable information on how to manage the disease.

Gary Stangness of Tri S Fertilizer in Innisfail said, “It was a well done and informative session with take home messages that will challenge all of our management skills...and at least now we know all about our enemies!”

The agenda started with Dr. Ron Howard– Plant Pathology Research Scientist from Alta Ag. He reviewed Clubroot Biology, Symptoms, Economic Importance, Provincial Clubroot Survey Results, Clubroot Management Plan, and Best Management Practices.

Dan Orchard from The Canola Council of Canada Talked on Clubroot Experiences and Outlook. He shared Clubroot Experiences in 2011, Saskatchewan Situation, Adoption of BMPs, Research Highlights and the Canola Council Awareness Programs. Check them out on the CCA Web Site. Dan knows canola and clubroot. He was one of the first to find clubroot in canola in 2002. One of his main points was not to under estimate it: “Cheating rotations even with a minor infestation can be a disaster.”

Mike Harding, Plant Pathology Technologist from the Pest Surveillance Branch, Alberta Ag. provided an update on  Blackleg and Sclerotinia that included  National/International Blackleg Strategic Plan, Background Information, Economic Importance, Provincial Survey Results, Best Management, as well as Canola Production and Blackleg in China.

The presenters as a Team filled in the sessions with Info on Fusarium Head Blight, Best Mgmt. Practices, Disease Biology, Symptoms, Economic Importance, Provincial Survey Results.

Some Take Home Messages:
1) Rotations of more than 2 or 3 years are crucial in keeping clubroot, fusarium, Blackleg and Sclerotinia out and/or under control.
2) Equipment coming in from out of County should be 100% clean - cleaning as much as possible in all cases.
3) Use resistant varieties.
4) Rotate Resistant varieties to ensure you protect the resistance.
5) Start Scouting for all of these diseases now. Early detection will allow you to change management and minimize losses.
6) Create alternate entrances to fields (C.R. usually comes in on soil from the last field).
7) Control weeds in the same family, like stinkweed and sheppard’s purse, that are vectors of clubroot as well as volunteer canola.

In 2012 the County will continue with the inspections focusing on fields with short rotations. We have information available for all growers on request. Look to the County News and rdcounty.ca this spring for a complete review of management suggestions and a complete list of weeds that can keep clubroot alive.

Winners of our Back Pack Sprayer door prizes were Weldon Rowland of Delburne and Melvin Johanson of Innisfail.