Prairie grower groups fund research projects targeting canola diseases

By Ian MacKay

Three projects intended to deal with the canola disease verticillium stripe stand out among 11 research programs that a prairie growers consortium is funding this year.

Leaders of the canola agronomic research program have chosen projects that they feel are “key to advancing canola productivity and mitigating production threats,” a statement said.

The organization includes SaskOilseeds and similar Manitoba and Alberta grower groups, which together are spending over $2.4 million. Results Driven Agriculture Research in Alberta is supplying over $1 million and the Western Grains Research Foundation will chip in $495,000 to bring the total planned expenditure to over $4 million.

“The genetic improvement and disease risks facing canola production need to be researched to find solutions,” said Laura Reiter of Radisson, who chairs the Western Grains Research Foundation.
“As capacity among public research institutions decreases, grower-led investment isn't just an option anymore, it’s critical to the longevity of our industry,” said Cheryl Westman of Vermilion, who chairs Alberta Canola’s research program.

A University of Calgary scientist heads a project titled “Discovering the verticillium longisporum genetic determinants of virulence,” a University of Manitoba scientist aims to test “biocontrol-based strategies” to deal with verticillium stripe in canola and another researcher from that university will use “genetic and molecular approaches” to increase canola’s resistance to verticillium stripe.

Sean Prager, with the University of Saskatchewan, leads a project called “Integrated management of viral complexes and co-infection risks in canola.”

Other scientists aim to exploit certain canola genes to fight off clubroot and sclerotinia stem rot and develop a “gene drive system for the reproductive suppression of weeds.”