Plant pathologist Dr. Syama Chatterton honoured with 11th Annual Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award

Mar 27, 2025

Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) selected Dr. Syama Chatterton, who continues to advance root rot management options for pulse farmers, as the winner of the 11th annual Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award.

“Each year, APG recognizes a person or organization whose progressive thinking and tireless efforts helped build Alberta’s pulse industry into the flourishing sector that it is today,” said APG Chair Shane Strydhorst. “Root rot disease affecting peas and lentils remains the largest threat that we need to mitigate for pulse farmers in Western Canada. Producers appreciate Dr. Chatterton’s contributions to root rot management, including identifying the organism causing the disease and advancing management options for root rot and other pulse diseases.”

Alberta pulse farmers and distinguished guests were on hand to celebrate Chatterton and her achievements at an award banquet during recent APG Joint Director-Advisor meetings in Edmonton.

Strydhorst noted that Chatterton’s work has motivated and enabled seed testing labs to offer tests for Aphanomyces to help guide producer decision-making. Her efforts have helped steer future research investment on the Prairies toward Aphanomyces euteiches. APG’s investments include the commitment of $3 million over five years for research projects that reduce the risk of root rot and partnership in rootrot.ca .

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.