FORECASTING THE RISK OF SCLEROTINIA STEM ROT IN CROPS

摘要

TITLEFORECASTING THE RISK OF SCLEROTINIASTEM ROT IN CROPSINVENTORSRobin A.A. MorrallT. Kelly TurkingtonRichard K. GugelSheldon V. RudeABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURESclerotinia stem rot, caused by the fungus Sclero-tinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, is a major disease ofrapeseed (canola) in western Canada and many other partsof the world. Significant yield losses result from severecrop infestations. A method of stem rot disease forecastingis disclosed. The method is based on the relationship dis-covered between infestation of top plant parts with sporesof the fungus at early bloom and subsequent disease inci-dence. Also disclosed are media compositions, whichfacilitate rapid growth of S. sclerotiorum from plantparts under non-sterile conditions and thereby permitdetection of the fungus. This forecasting system allowsimproved disease risk assessment in advance of the needfor spraying against sclerotinia stem rot.