Canola Cv Research Articles

First Report of Verticillium stripe of Canola Caused by Verticillium longisporum in North Dakota.

North Dakota leads the U.S.A. in canola (Brassica napus L.) production (5) and approximately one-third of the acreage is located in the northeastern portion of the state. A field survey conducted at the end of the 2021 growing season in northeastern North Dakota revealed the presence of a single field with approximately 15% plants exhibiting whitish discoloration symptoms in the lower third of the stems. The epidermis on the discolored areas was peeling, and the exposed tissues were dark grey to dark-brown. Stem samples taken to the laboratory were surface disinfested with a 5% aqueous solution of NaOCl for 60 sec and rinsed thrice with sterile water. Under aseptic conditions, small stem pieces were plated on V-8 medium amended with 150 mg each of penicillin and streptomycin per liter of medium and incubated at 22 oC under 16 h light daily. Under the microscope, conidiophores were verticillate, hyaline, and had three branches. Conidia were single-celled, hyaline, and measured on average 9.2 + 1.8 µm. Microsclerotia were irregularly shaped. These features match the description of Verticillium longisporum (Stark) Karapapa Bainbr. & Heale, (4). Genomic DNA was extracted from a single-spore culture of an isolate as described by Azizi et al. (1). PCR assays were conducted twice on two independent DNA samples extracted from the same isolate using V. longisporum species-specific primer set VlspF1 and VlspR4 (2) with denaturation at 95 oC for 3 min, followed by 35 cycles of amplification at 94 oC for 1 min then 56 oC for 30 sec and 72 oC for 1 min, followed by a final period at 72 oC for 5 min. The sequenced PCR product, which had 100% homology with GenBank V. longisporum reference samples KY704097 and HE972063, was assigned GenBank accession number OR088215. Pathogenicity tests were conducted in greenhouse. Briefly, twenty seeds of the canola cv. Westar were incubated on a sterilized wet paper towel for five days at 22 oC. The seedlings were carefully lifted, and their root tips cut with scissors. Ten wounded seedlings were immersed in a V. longisporum spore suspension with 2.07 x 106 spores per ml for 30 minutes and the other ten in distilled water (controls). The plants were transplanted into pots (10x10x13 cm) containing Sunshine Mix # 1 potting mix (Fison Horticulture, Vancouver, B. C.). The study was conducted twice, with individual plants as replications. Three weeks later, 20% of inoculated plants had died and at physiological maturity, the rest of them had stunted growth and blackened internal stem tissues while external stem symptoms resembled those found in the field. All control plants reached maturity without symptoms. The pathogen re-isolated from inoculated plants were morphologically identical to the one retrieved from the field. These results confirmed the isolate as Verticillium longisporum. This is the first report of Verticillium stripe on canola in the US. In North America, the disease was first reported in Manitoba, Canada, in 2014 but subsequent surveys showed it is widespread in Canada (3). Identification of genetic resistance against this disease is required to ameliorate the threat this disease represents to US canola production.

Overexpression of rice acyl-CoA-binding protein OsACBP5 protects Brassica napus against seedling infection by fungal phytopathogens

Context Class III acyl-CoA-binding proteins such as those from dicots (Arabidopsis and grapevine) play a role in defence against biotrophic pathogens. The overexpression of the monocot Oryza sativa (rice) OsACBP5 in Arabidopsis and rice has been demonstrated to enhance broad-spectrum disease resistance against selected phytopathogens in OsACBP5-overexpressing (OsACBP5-OE) lines. Aims We aimed to develop transgenic rapid-cycling Brassica napus (B. napus-RC) and canola cv. Westar OsACBP5-OEs using tissue culture-based Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and to evaluate transgenic plants for resistance against Alternaria blight, blackleg and Sclerotinia rot diseases. Methods Transgenic B. napus-RC and cv. Westar OsACBP5-OEs were generated through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 harbouring a plasmid with the rice complementary DNA encoding OsACBP5 driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Alternaria blight and blackleg pathogen assays were based on infecting young cotyledons, while detached leaf assay was used to test the tolerance of B. napus plants toward Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Key results Average transformation efficiencies of 24.2% and 29.1% were obtained for B. napus-RC and B. napus cv. Westar cotyledons respectively. OsACBP5-OE plants exhibited resistance 5 days after inoculation with Alternaria brassicae, 12 days after inoculation with Leptosphaeria maculans, and 24 h after inoculation with S. sclerotiorum. Conclusions Transformation of B. napus-RC was shown herein to be an effective trait testing platform for canola. This study also provides an insight into the usefulness of OsACBP5 in enhancing resistance to necrotrophic phytopathogens. Implications OsACBP5 can be overexpressed in other crops to generate pathogen-resistant varieties.

Impact of seed priming on germination performance of fresh and aged seeds of Canola

Priming fresh and naturally aged canola seeds with different substances and observing the seed germination properties are involved in this work. Fresh seeds and aged seeds of canola cv. “süzer” were treated with distilled water, -0.8 MPa polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and 50 mM thiamine for 8 hours. Storage of canola seeds showed the loss of germination capacity compared to fresh seeds. Present findings indicate that priming can improve germination and germination speed both in fresh and aged seeds of canola. Germination percentage increased in aged seeds with distilled water priming and thiamine priming. Mean germination times were lower in the primed seeds. Seedling growth didn’t improve with priming in both ages. It was concluded that germination performance improvement of aged seeds is possible with suitable priming.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of canola carrying clubroot resistance from ‘Mendel’ or Rutabaga and the development of molecular markers

Clubroot resistance has been introgressed into spring canola from various sources; however, the molecular basis of this using multiple resistances has not yet been investigated. We conducted a comparative transcriptomic study using resistance introgressed from rutabaga (RtR) and winter canola cv. ‘Mendel’ (MdR) and identified ~3500 upregulated genes of which 8–9% genes were involved in primary and secondary metabolic pathways. Treatment of the susceptible plants with trehalose suggested that the modulation of primary metabolism can increase resistance to clubroot. While comparing the DEGs from BnaA08 (RtR) and BnaA03 (MdR), we found that the gene CRF4 could be essential for mediating resistance. We also developed SSR markers from the upregulated genes for use in breeding.

Changes in contents of phenolic compounds (sinapic acid derivatives) in seeds of Brassica napus L.under adverse storage conditions.

The quality of rapeseed oil depends to a considerable degree on raw material quality. Negli- gence in maintaining the appropriate conditions during long-term rapeseed storage (excessively high humid- ity and temperature) may contribute to a deterioration of seed quality, as a result of microbial growth and changes in native antioxidant contents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inappropriate storage conditions on changes in sinapic acid derivative content, which is the main phenolic compound in rapeseeds. The material used for tests was canola cv. PR 46 W14. Seeds with a 13.5% moisture content were stored for 21 days in a thermo-hygrostat chamber, ensuring rapeseed storage under constant humidity and temperature conditions. In this study, the level of mould fungi was analysed using the plate method, while those of sinapic acid derivatives were determined using the HPLC-DAD method. Intensive growth of mould fungi in the rapeseeds was observed after 6 days of storage. Changes were recorded in sinapic acid derivative contents, which are the main phenolic compounds in rapeseed. The level of phenolic compounds found in the bound form (sinapin; sinapic acid methyl ester; 1,2-disinapoyl- dihexoside; 1,2-disinapoyl-hexoside and 1,2,2’-trisinapoyl-dihexoside) decreased. At the same time, an in- crease was recorded in trans-sinapic acid content (by 63%). Both qualitative and quantitative changes in phenolic compounds may be connected with the development of fungal microflora in stored rapeseeds. Only adequate storage conditions for the oil raw mate- rial, such as rapeseeds, may ensure good quality in the final product, in this case, rapeseed oil.

Mapping of the clubroot disease resistance in spring Brassica napus canola introgressed from European winter canola cv. ‘Mendel’

Clubroot disease caused by the soil-borne pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin is a major threat to the production of Brassica crops worldwide. The European winter canola cv. ‘Mendel’ shows resistance to many P. brassicae isolates including pathotypes 3, 5, 6 and 8 that are prevalent in Canada. To introgress clubroot resistance (CR) into Canadian spring Brassica napus canola, crosses between Canadian spring and European winter B. napus canola cv. ‘Mendel’ were made and several resistant lines were developed through pedigree breeding. Two of the resistant lines were further crossed with the clubroot susceptible spring canola line A07-26NR to produce two doubled haploid (DH) populations from nine F1 plants. Segregation for resistance followed a 1:1 ratio for resistant and susceptible phenotypes suggesting that a single Mendelian gene is involved in the control of resistance to P. brassicae single spore isolate SACAN-ss1 (pathotype 3) in the DH population where the ‘favourable allele’ for resistance is derived from the cv. ‘Mendel’. Genetic and physical mapping study positioned five previously described CR loci (CRk, Crr3, CRb, CRa and CRb Kato ) on the B. rapa chromosome A3, and identified twelve markers (1.5–2.0 % recombination) from the genomic region that houses the CRa and CRb Kato loci to be associated with the resistance derived from ‘Mendel’. The identified markers can be used in breeding as well as pyramiding of multiple clubroot resistance genes.

The Effect of Applying Exogenous Salicylic Acid on Aphid Infection and its Influence on Histo-Physiological Traits and Thermal Imaging of Canola

Abstract Insect damage in canola adversely affects its productivity andquality and is considered one of the most important degrading factors in Egypt. The effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on aphid populations, growth and yield of canola (Brassica napus, L.) cv. serw 4 was the major goal of this study. Two experiments were conducted at the farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt, during 2014 and 2015 seasons, to achieve this target. Each experiment included four levels of SA (0, 50, 100, 200 mg 1-1). The experimental results revealed that SA, at low concentration (50 mg 1-1), was an effective treatment for reduction the number of aphid populations and colony depth on the main inflorescence, contributed with reducing the thickness of secretory tissue of flower pedicel. The level of 50 mg 1-1 of SA-treated canola had the highest number of stomata cm-2, along with the lowest width of both stoma and its aperture. Thickness of xylem tissue and the number of xylem vessels bundle-1 in leaf midrib, reducing sugars and free amino acids was increased at 50 mg 1-1 SA, but free phenolics content did not affected significantly. Under controlled conditions, changes in temperature of infected leaves allowed the discrimination between healthy and infected areas in thermo-image, even before visible symptoms of aphid infestation appeared. The detection of modifications in plants or canopies, associated with low insect severity in the early stages of infestation, was crucial for the targeted, site-specific or on demand application of integrated aphid control. Canola, which was treated with 50 mg 1-1 of SA, gave 30.5 and 27.9 kg of oil ha-1 over the control. It was concluded that spraying of SA at 50 mg 1-1 was an effective elicitor to diminish the aphid numbers on canola inflorescence and improve its yield.

Pterostilbene Is a Potential Candidate for Control of Blackleg in Canola.

Two stilbenes, resveratrol and pterostilbene, exhibit antifungal activity against Leptosphaeria maculans, the fungal pathogen responsible for blackleg (stem canker) in canola (Brassica napus). In vitro studies on the effect of these stilbenes on L. maculans mycelial growth and conidia germination showed that pterostilbene is a potent fungicide and sporicide, but resveratrol only exerted minor inhibition on L. maculans. Cell viability of hyphae cultures was markedly reduced by pterostilbene and SYTOX green staining showed that cell membrane integrity was compromised. We demonstrate that pterostilbene exerts fungicidal activity across 10 different L. maculans isolates and the compound confers protection to the blackleg-susceptible canola cv. Westar seedlings. The potential of pterostilbene as a control agent against blackleg in canola is discussed.

Canola, narrow-leafed lupin and wheat differ in growth response to low–moderate sodium on a potassium-deficient sandy soil

Although soil salinity and potassium (K) deficiency are widespread in agricultural lands, there is a paucity of knowledge about the interactive effects of sodium (Na) and K on the growth and yield of major grain crops. In pot experiments, we examined salt tolerance of canola (Brassica napus L.), narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and crop K requirement under Na supply ranging from low to high. Plant growth and seed yield of all three crops were lower at 40 mg K/kg than at 100 mg K/kg soil. Although 100 mg Na/kg (4 dS/m in soil solution) had little effect on canola cv. Boomer and wheat cv. Wyalkatchem, the salt-treated narrow-leafed lupin cv. Mandelup died at 47 days after sowing, regardless of amount of soil K. In low-K soils, canola with 100 mg Na/kg and wheat with 50 mg Na/kg did not show K-deficiency symptoms and produced greater seed yield than plants with nil Na addition. At 100 mg K/kg, Na-induced reduction in growth and yield occurred only to plants with 200 mg Na/kg. However, at 160 mg K/kg, 200 mg Na/kg did not have an adverse effect. In canola and wheat, shoot K concentration increased and shoot Na concentration decreased with increasing amount of soil K; however, high soil K did not reduce shoot Na concentration in narrow-leafed lupin. The study showed that narrow-leafed lupin was very susceptible to salinity, whereas canola and wheat plants were relatively salt-tolerant. The stimulation of growth and yield in canola and wheat by low–moderate Na in low-K soils suggests partial K substitution by Na, and that adaptation of canola and wheat to salt-affected soils can be enhanced by high K supply.

Green Manure Crops for Management of Meloidogyne javanica and Pythium aphanidermatum

To determine the potential to suppress root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica, 10 genotypes of seven green manure species were evaluated in a greenhouse study. These species were: black hollyhock (Alcea rosea L.); canola (Brassica napus L.); cabbage (B. oleracea L.); French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), sorghum–sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench nothosubsp. drummondii (Steud.) de Wet ex Davidse]; sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.); and yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.). Plants were inoculated with eggs of M. javanica and after 6 weeks, nematode eggs and reproduction factor (Rf = final egg population density/initial egg population density) were determined. Marigolds were non-hosts to M. javanica; other crop species that were poor hosts to M. javanica included canola cv. Dwarf Essex, sorghum–sudangrass cvs. Piper and Sordan 79, black hollyhock cv. Nigra, and sunn hemp. Based on low Rf, four groups of species were selected for further evaluation in the greenhouse to determine the response to both M. javanica and another crop pathogen, Pythium aphanidermatum. These four groups of green manure crops were: 1) seven marigold genotypes; 2) four Brassicaceae genotypes; 3) seven sorghum–sudangrass hybrids; and 4) four other species [black hollyhock, sunn hemp, elecampane (Inula helenium L.), and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.)]. Plants were inoculated with a factorial combination of M. javanica and P. aphanidermatum (none, each alone, and in combination) and repeated four times in a split-plot experimental design (whole plots were factorial treatments and subplots were green manure crop genotypes). Six weeks after inoculation, plants were harvested and measured for fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots and Rf of M. javanica. Adverse effects of P. aphanidermatum were characterized by dead or dying roots and measured by reduced plant biomass. Negative synergistic effects were observed in several marigold and Brassicaceae genotypes, in which the combined effects of M. javanica and P. aphanidermatum reduced shoot and root growth more severely than either treatment alone. Marigold T. erecta cv. Orangeade, sorghum–sudangrass cvs. Graze-All, Piper, and Sordan 79, and sunn hemp appeared to be resistant to M. javanica and P. aphanidermatum, either alone or in combination. Based on results of greenhouse trials, eight green manure crops (yellow mustard cv. Ida Gold, French marigolds cvs. Nema-gone and Golden Guardian, sorghum–sudangrass cvs. Sordan 79 and Tastemaker, sunn hemp, unplanted plot, and a control plot with weed mat) were selected and grown for 3 months in a field trial in Pepeekeo, HI. Each treatment was replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Shoot biomass was sampled at 1, 2, and 3 months after planting. Plant–parasitic nematodes were counted before planting and at 4 months after planting. Dry weight biomass averaged across three sampling dates was greatest for the two sorghum–sudangrass hybrids followed by those of two marigold cultivars that did not differ from them. No significant differences in populations of root-knot nematodes were found. Based on this field trial as well as greenhouse trials, marigold cultivars, sorghum–sudangrass hybrids, and sunn hemp appeared to be non-hosts or poor hosts to reniform (Rotylenchulus reniformis) as well as root-knot nematodes and well adapted to the environmental conditions found along the Hamakua Coast of the Hawaii Island.

First Report of Clubroot on Canola Caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae in North Dakota.

North Dakota leads the United States in canola (Brassica napus L.) production (4). A canola field with a distinct patch of dead plants spreading over an area of approximately 0.4 ha was detected in Cavalier County, North Dakota, in early September 2013. Numerous spots within the patch had plant mortalities >80%. Dead plants pulled from the soil had roots with severe galling and clubbing. Clubbed roots were brittle and disintegrated easily when pressed between fingers. Root and soil samples collected at several locations within and outside the affected patch were pooled in separate groups. All plants collected in the patch were symptomatic but those collected outside were not. In the lab, total genomic DNA from three symptomatic and two healthy root samples was extracted using standard procedures and freehand slices were prepared for observation with a compound microscope. Also, DNA from pooled soil samples was extracted using FastDNA Spin Kit for Soil (MP Biomedicals, Solon, OH). Round resting structures ranging from 2.2 to 4.2 μm in diameter were observed by microscopic examination of symptomatic root tissues. These structures resembled those typically produced by Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin. This initial identification was later confirmed through PCR analysis using the species specific primers TC1F/R and TC2F/R (1). PCR products of 548 bp (TC1F/R) and 519 bp (TC2F/R) were produced in the three symptomatic and two infested soil samples, confirming the presence of P. brassicae. PCR amplicons were not detected in healthy root and soil samples. Pathogenicity tests were conducted in greenhouse to fulfill Koch's postulates. Briefly, five square plastic pots (10 × 10 × 13 cm) were filled with a 10-cm layer of Sunshine Mix #1 potting mix (Fison Horticulture, Vancouver, BC, Canada) and then 1 g of ground root galls (approximately 5 × 105 resting spores) was spread evenly on its surface and covered with 2 cm of soilless mix. A similar number of pots were filled only with soilless mix and used as controls. All pots were planted with two seeds of canola cv. Westar and incubated in greenhouse conditions at 21°C and 16 h light daily. The experiment was conducted twice. Four weeks after planting, all plants in the inoculated pots had developed galls while plants in control pots were symptomless. Presence of P. brassicae resting spores in the newly developed galls was confirmed by microscopic observations and PCR. Based on the symptoms, morphology of resting spores, PCR reactions, and pathogenicity tests, we confirm the presence of P. brassicae on canola. While P. brassicae has been reported as widespread in North America (2), to our knowledge, this is the first report of clubroot on canola in North Dakota and the United States. Clubroot became the most important disease affecting canola production in central Alberta, Canada, within 5 years of its discovery in 2003 (3); since then, the disease has been detected in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (3), Canadian provinces that share borders with North Dakota. Considering the difficulties in management of clubroot, measures should be initiated to limit the spread of the disease before it could pose a threat to United States canola production.

Turnip mosaic virus: potential for crop losses in the grain belt of New South Wales, Australia

The potential of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) to infect and damage cool season crops in the grain belt of New South Wales, Australia, was investigated by serological tests on 24,689 dicot weed, grain, and forage specimens from 1999 to 2007 and infectivity/pathogenicity tests with six isolates. Natural infection by TuMV was common in Brassicaceae weeds. Infected grain crops included mustard (Brassica juncea), field pea (Pisum sativum), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum). Forage (turnip, Brassica rapa) was also infected. None of 9,816 canola (Brassica napus, at least 19 cultivars) or 1,967 faba bean (Vicia faba, three cultivars) plants were infected. Six isolates from weeds, mustard, and chickpea were inoculated on a range of weed and crop species including four B. napus pathotype differential lines. Inoculated Brassicaceae weeds, mustard, field pea cv. ‘Cressy Blue’, coriander, Chinese cabbage (B. rapa), and forage turnip (B. rapa) were usually infected. Field pea cv. Dundale and radishes (Raphanus sativus) were infected infrequently. Symptoms were severe in mustard, forage turnip, chickpea, and field pea. The reportedly susceptible canola cv. ‘Outback’ displayed only variable infectivity and mild symptoms for five isolates and no infectivity for one isolate. Faba bean, field pea cv. ‘Excell’, and two B. napus differentials appeared to be non-hosts. The results suggest that TuMV strains naturalised in Brassicaceae weeds in NSW in 1999–2007 could damage mustard, field pea, and forage turnip, but not canola or faba bean. These NSW strains appeared to be distinct from strains that damage canola in Europe, North America, and Asia.

A Mutant Brassica napus (Canola) Population for the Identification of New Genetic Diversity via TILLING and Next Generation Sequencing

We have generated a Brassica napus (canola) population of 3,158 EMS-mutagenised lines and used TILLING to demonstrate that the population has a high enough mutation density that it will be useful for identification of mutations in genes of interest in this important crop species. TILLING is a reverse genetics technique that has been successfully used in many plant and animal species. Classical TILLING involves the generation of a mutagenised population, followed by screening of DNA samples using a mismatch-specific endonuclease that cleaves only those PCR products that carry a mutation. Polyacrylamide gel detection is then used to visualise the mutations in any gene of interest. We have used this TILLING technique to identify 432 unique mutations in 26 different genes in B. napus (canola cv. DH12075). This reflects a mutation density ranging from 1/56 kb to 1/308 kb (depending on the locus) with an average of 1/109 kb. We have also successfully verified the utility of next generation sequencing technology as a powerful approach for the identification of rare mutations in a population of plants, even in polyploid species such as B. napus. Most of the mutants we have identified are publically available.

Response of canola and wheat to amendment of pyrite and sulphur-oxidizing bacteria in soil

Chemoautotrophic (Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) and heterotrophic sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (M2 and A12) were used along with pyrite amendment (FeS2) to canola (Brassica campestris var toria) cv Bhavani and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv HD 2285 crops grown in sulphur-deficient alkaline soil. Results showed that the grain and straw yields and nitrogen uptake of canola and wheat were significantly increased by bacterization. Besides nitrogen, uptake of other nutrients (Fe and Mn) was also increased by these microorganisms. In general, pyrite amendment along with bacterization improved yields and nutrient uptake in canola and wheat over other treatments without pyrite addition.

First Report of Root Rot Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-10 on Canola in Washington State.

Canola (Brassica napus L) production has gained renewed interest in Washington State over the past few years, primarily for the purpose of producing biofuel. Plants were observed to be showing symptoms of Rhizoctonia root rot and postemergence damping-off. In many cases, this was due to Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-1, which was previously documented (4). However, additional plants were occasionally observed that were stunted and had reduced vigor, but lacked the distinctive severe stem damage and postemergence damping-off, which are both symptoms of infection with R. solani AG-2-1. Isolates of R. solani AG-10 were collected from symptomatic plants or baited from root zone soil at various dryland production locations in eastern Washington, including sites near Colfax, Pullman, and Walla Walla. Initial identification was determined by quantitative (Q)-PCR using R. solani AG-10 specific primers (3). The identity was verified by sequencing random isolates identified by Q-PCR (GenBank Accessions Nos. JQ068147, JQ068148 and JQ068149). All sequenced isolates had 99% identity to previously reported isolates of R. solani AG-10. Six isolates were chosen to test pathogenicity on canola plants in the greenhouse. Sterilized oats were inoculated with each of six isolates of R. solani AG-10 and grown for 4 weeks. The soil was infested with ground oat inoculum (1% wt/wt) and spring canola cv. Sunrise was seeded into 3.8 × 21-cm containers. After 3 weeks of incubation at 15°C, plants were harvested and assessed. Emergence was reduced in the infested soil with 73 to 93% (average 81%) emergence compared with 100% emergence in the noninfested soil. There was no evidence of postemergence damping-off. However, all six isolates of R. solani AG-10 significantly reduced the plant height and top dry weights compared with the noninfested controls. The plant height in infested soil was 28 to 42% (average 34%) shorter and top dry weights were 37 to 70% (average 54%) lower than in noninfested soil. Roots of infected plants had a light brown discoloration along with reduced length and fewer lateral roots. Additional host plants were tested, including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). There was no significant reduction in plant height or plant dry weight for any of these hosts. R. solani AG-10 was previously found to be weakly virulent on canola and other cruciferous hosts in Australia (1,2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. solani AG-10 causing disease on canola in Washington State. Reference: (1) R. K. Khangura et al. Plant Dis. 83:714, 1999. (2) G. C. MacNish et al. Australas. Plant Pathol. 24:252, 1995. (3) P. A. Okubara et al. Phytopathology 98:837, 2008. (4) T. C. Paulitz et al. Plant Dis. 90:829, 2006.

Breeding for clubroot resistant spring canola (Brassica napusL.) for the Canadian prairies: Can the European winter canola cv. Mendel be used as a source of resistance?

Rahman, H., Shakir, A. and Hasan, M. J. 2011. Breeding for clubroot resistant spring canola (Brassica napus L.) for the Canadian prairies: Can the European winter canola cv. Mendel be used as a source of resistance? Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 447–458. Canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars resistant to clubroot disease, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, are desired by the Canadian canola growers. Different genotypes of its two parental species B.rapa and B. olaeacea carry resistance to this disease. Furthermore, the European winter canola cultivar Mendel, which was bred through introgression of resistance from its parental species, also carries resistance to P.brassicae pathotypes prevelent in Europe. The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of resistance of Mendel for the development of clubroot-resistant canola cultivars for the Canadian prairies. For this, crosses between Mendel and two Canadian spring canola lines were made and pedigree breeding was followed. Plants with spring growth...

Pre-cropping with canola decreased Pratylenchus thornei populations, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and yield of wheat

Root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei) significantly reduces wheat yields in the northern Australian grain region. Canola is thought to have a ‘biofumigation’ potential to control nematodes; therefore, a field experiment was designed to compare canola with other winter crops or clean-fallow for reducing P. thornei population densities and improving growth of P. thornei-intolerant wheat (cv. Batavia) in the following year. Immediately after harvest of the first-year crops, populations of P. thornei were lowest following various canola cultivars or clean-fallow (1957–5200 P. thornei/kg dry soil) and were highest following susceptible wheat cultivars (31 033–41 294/kg dry soil). Unexpectedly, at planting of the second-year wheat crop, nematode populations were at more uniform lower levels (<5000/kg dry soil), irrespective of the previous season’s treatment, and remained that way during the growing season, which was quite dry. Growth and grain yield of the second-year wheat crop were poorest on plots previously planted with canola or left fallow due to poor colonisation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, with the exception of canola cv. Karoo, which had high AM fungal colonisation and low wheat yields. There were significant regressions between growth and yield parameters of the second-year wheat and levels of AMF following the pre-crop treatments. Thus, canola appears to be a good crop for reducing P. thornei populations, but AM fungal-dependence of subsequent crops should be considered, particularly in the northern Australian grain region.

Study Effect of NaCl Salinity and Nitrogen Form on Composition of Canola (Brassica napus L.)

The effect of two N forms ( NH + 4 and NO - 3 ) and NaCl on accumulation of some essential mineral nutrients was examined in canola (Brassica napus L.) cv. ‘SLM 046 ’ld plants of were subjected for 21 day to Hoagland’s nutrient solution containing 10 mM NH + 4 and NO - 3 and salinized with 0, 50, 100 and 150 mm NaCl. N form and addition of NaCl to the growth had no significant effect on total N. However, root N of NH + 4 supplied plants decreased significantly with increase in NaCl concentration, whereas that of NO 3 - supplied plants remained unaffected. Salinity of the rooting also did not show any significant effect on Na + concentration of leaves or roots of plants subjected to two different forms of nitrogen. NH + 4 treated plants generally had greater concentration of Cl - in leaves and roots and lower K + content in leaves than NO 3 - supplied plants. Ca 2+ concentration of leaves and roots concentration of leaves decreased in NH + 4 - supplied plants due to NaCl, but they remained unaffected in NO 3 - treated plants.

Developing Rainfall- and Temperature-Based Models to Describe Infection of Canola Under Field Conditions Caused by Pycnidiospores of Leptosphaeria maculans

Blackleg, also known as Phoma stem canker, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans (Phoma lingam), is one of the most serious diseases of canola worldwide. In this study, the mean disease severity (Ds) and incidence (Di) of canola cv. Westar plants infected at the cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages by pycnidiospores of L. maculans were monitored in the greenhouse after infection of the plants under field conditions in two successive years and associated with meteorological data during infection time. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that total rainfall per week (R) was significantly correlated to Ds on plants infected at the cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages, and average maximum temperature per week (Tmax) only showed significant correlation with plants infected at the cotyledon and six-leaf stages. These results also indicated that there is correlation between Di and R for plants infected at all three growth stages. A nonlinear model was developed to evaluate the combined effects of R and Tmax on Ds. The best model comprised monomolecular function and beta probability density function for plants infected at the above three growth stages. Parameters, including maximum potential for Ds at a given rainfall (d(max)), rate of changes with respect to rainfall (k), constant of integration (B), maximum potential for Ds with respect to Tmax (e), rate of increase with increasing Tmax to optimum (n), and rate of decrease as Tmax increased and passed the optimum Tmax (p), were estimated for plants infected at the above three growth stages. The effect of plant growth stage was characterized by differences in the upper limit parameter a. This parameter was greater for the plants infected at the cotyledon stage than for plants infected at the other two stages. The estimate of parameter k was the same for the plants infected at the cotyledon and three-leaf stages. This parameter was much lower for the plants infected at the six-leaf stage compared with two other stages. The logistic model could describe the disease incidence with respect to R slightly better than the other two models in the plants infected at all three growth stages. Based on the model, upper-limit estimate (d(max)) was approximately 100, 94.4, and 88.8% in the plants infected at cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages, respectively. Di increased until rainfall reached approximately 18, 10, and 13 mm/week and became constant in the plants at cotyledon, three-leaf, and six-leaf stages, respectively. Effects of plant growth stage on the rate of change with respect to R (parameter k) were lower in the plants infected at cotyledon than at the other two stages. The accuracy of the nonlinear models suggests that they could be used to develop a comprehensive model to evaluate epidemics of blackleg based on pycnidiospores as sources of inoculum. However, additional years of data collection should improve model fit and evaluation of introduced models and contribute to the development of a more robust predictive model.

Comparison of the responses of two Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes to post-flowering soil water deficit with the response of canola (B. napus L.) cv. Monty

The responses to water stress during the post-flowering period of two mustard breeding lines (887.1.6.1 and Muscon) and a commercial canola cv. Monty were tested in the field at Merredin in the low-rainfall Mediterranean-type environment of Western Australia. Three water-stress treatments were imposed using supplemental irrigation and a rain-exclusion shelter. Increasing water stress in the post-flowering period significantly reduced dry matter production and seed yields. Harvest index was slightly increased by mild stress, but reduced back to control levels by severe stress. Pods/plant, seeds/pod, and 1000-seed weight were all reduced by water stress. Dry matter production was higher in mustard than in canola, due to its greater water use and radiation interception. Water-use efficiency (WUE) for dry matter production and radiation-use efficiency (RUE) were higher in mustard than in canola. WUE for dry matter production and RUE were insensitive to the levels of water stress in mustard in this experiment, but declined significantly in canola. The greater water use in mustard and insensitivity of WUE for dry matter production and RUE to water stress were attributed to significantly higher levels of osmotic adjustment in mustard, although osmotic adjustment was also observed in canola. Despite this, canola seed yield was not significantly lower than the seed yield of the better mustard genotype, although stress caused a significantly greater percentage yield reduction in canola. This is because canola had a higher harvest index, which also meant it had higher WUE than mustard for grain production under mild stress. Mustard’s poorer harvest index was due to more of the dry matter being invested in stem and, in the case of cv. Muscon, to a short reproductive duration and a low proportion of pod weight allocated to seed. Canola had significantly higher seed oil concentration than mustard, which meant that it produced higher total oil yield despite sometimes producing lower seed yield. However, its oil concentration was reduced more by stress than mustard’s, so under the most severe stress conditions, both mustard genotypes produced higher total oil yield. Mustard has potential as an oil-producing crop in the low-rainfall Mediterranean-type environments of Western Australia, but improved genotypes, greater harvest index, and greater seed yield are required.