A predicted 20 million canola acres in 2012 combined with tighter rotations can add up to serious disease pressure for canola crops. One such disease is blackleg – a potentially devastating crop infection that can reduce yields on large sections of a canola fields and increase the risk for repeated blackleg infestations on future crops.
Concerns over blackleg in canola have increased in Western Canada throughout the past few seasons. High commodity prices and tight rotations can increase the risk of infestation through a breakdown of canola variety resistance to the disease.
BASF Technical Specialist, Russell Trischuk, recommends applying a preventative disease management strategy for canola to mitigate the yield risks, beginning with field scouting combined with wider crop rotations and preventative application of a pyraclostrobin fungicide such as Headline.
“Fields at greatest risk are those where there has been a yield loss as a result of blackleg in previous years and varieties with lower blackleg disease ratings are grown under short rotations,” says Trischuk. “Scouting for signs of blackleg infestation is the first step.”
Early blackleg signs include grayish white lesions with small black spots on leaves and stems at the 4 leaf stage, eventually forming blackened basal cankers that appear at the base of the stem.
Secondly, Trischuk recommends wider crop rotations. “Blackleg can overwinter in crop residue, and will be more widespread if seeded under tight canola rotations,” he says. For best management, growers should consider a four year rotation on canola varieties.
Fungicides should also be used preventatively before symptoms appear. Trischuk suggests growers apply Headline at herbicide timing before the onset of blackleg: “Headline is an excellent option. As a pyraclostrobin-based fungicide, it can be tank-mixed with all canola herbicide systems and applied at herbicide timing. Headline also has the benefit of AgCelence which promotes healthier plants with higher-quality yields.”
BASF conducted grower-applied trials of Headline on canola over the last 3 years. Participants reported an average yield increase of 3 bu/ac across 70 trials, due in part to AgCelence. The company states AgCelence helps growers maximize yields through a more efficient use of carbon and nitrogen in the plant.
Trischuck has seen the benefit first-hand. In his research, plants treated with Headline were better able to tolerate environmental stresses and demonstrated stronger stems, greener leaves and higher-quality yields.
And for canola, it’s all about the yield. “When disease pressure is managed, you give your canola crop the best chance for achieving maximum yield,” says Trischuk.
Source: AgSoultions