Many people in the canola-growing business hear the word blackleg and think only about how it might affect their yield, if they think of it at all.
But there’s at least one person in Western Canada for whom that word sparks excitement and anticipation. Because rather than focusing on the challenges of the past, he’s focused on the gene-stacking potential of the future.
Let’s take a closer look at why the increase in blackleg presence has resulted in advances in canola breeding to better-equip canola growers for the future.
Meet Blackleg Expert Sakaria (Zac) Liban
Sakaria (Zac) Liban is a research scientist and blackleg expert at DL Seeds in Morden, Manitoba, BrettYoung’s partner for canola breeding.
He is part of the team that’s been developing new varieties like 6090 RR and 6076 CR for BrettYoung that achieve a broader level of blackleg protection by combining or “stacking” multiple genes in a single hybrid.
Using genetic marking and other genomic techniques, he plays a vital role in this process by identifying new sources of genetic resistance that can be bred into elite canola lines.
“The industry is taking steps to mitigate blackleg by releasing new hybrids to the market that provide different and more effective sources of blackleg resistance,” Liban says.
AI, Machine Learning, and Genomic Tools
In addition to new hybrids being released, plant scientists and breeders are also starting to introduce data-driven artificial intelligence (A.I.) and machine learning into the breeding process.
A form of A.I. called machine learning, for instance, can be applied to genomic techniques that identify desired genetic traits, like resistance to blackleg disease, in a way that’s faster than traditional phenotyping methods. This enables scientists like Liban to help shave years off the time it takes breeders to get superior canola varieties out of the greenhouse and into the fields.
“It definitely is an exciting time with all of these new tools that are being developed,” Liban adds. “The future holds a lot of opportunities.”
Increasing Blackleg Pressure on the Prairies
Canola producers on the Canadian Prairies have had to deal with blackleg since the 1970s, and in recent years, it’s become a bigger problem for many farmers.
Rising Incidence and Severity
Liban says the incidence and severity of blackleg infections has been steadily rising over the past five years, especially in areas with intense canola production. “We are seeing an uptick in blackleg right now, due to tighter rotations and the increase in the acreage of canola across the Prairies,” Liban says.
Evolving Pathogen Populations
This has caused changes in the pathogen population, resulting in destructive new strains of blackleg emerging, making it more difficult to manage.
Crop Rotation as a Management Tool
Proper crop rotation can help prevent the disease from turning up in canola fields and also enhances the effectiveness of blackleg-resistant canola hybrids in warding off blackleg.
“A one-in-three-year rotation is the minimum to try to prevent blackleg, and longer is better,” he says.
Scouting and Spray Timing
Another way canola producers can keep blackleg at bay is to make sure they are checking their fields regularly for the first signs of the disease.
- Scout early and often: Liban recommends farmers scout early and often in the season, looking for leaf lesions in the two-to-six leaf stage of the crop.
- Spray at the right time: He notes, “Spraying later on won’t be as effective since the leaf infections could have enough time to make it down to the base of the stem and cause significant loss.”
Choosing Blackleg-Resistant Canola Varieties
On top of crop rotation and field scouting, proper variety selection is key for reducing the impact of blackleg, and it also means farmers don’t have to rely as much on more costly, chemical-based solutions to control the disease.
Planting canola hybrids with the highest level of built-in resistance to blackleg offers canola producers their best chance of success. BrettYoung has an exclusive line of canola varieties that are high yielding and have major gene blackleg resistance to defend against multiple strains of blackleg (like 6090 RR and 6076 CR).
Learn more about BrettYoung’s DefendR® Blackleg canola varieties and the importance of genetic resistance.
FAQ
Why does the article say blackleg research matters for canola growers?
The article explains that the increase in blackleg presence has led to advances in canola breeding, including gene stacking, which better equips canola growers for the future.
Who is Sakaria (Zac) Liban and what is his role in blackleg research?
Sakaria (Zac) Liban is a research scientist and blackleg expert at DL Seeds in Morden, Manitoba, BrettYoung’s partner for canola breeding. He helps develop new canola varieties by using genetic marking and other genomic techniques to identify new sources of genetic resistance that can be bred into elite canola lines.
How are new canola hybrids improving resistance to blackleg?
New canola hybrids like 6090 RR and 6076 CR achieve a broader level of protection by combining or stacking multiple genes in a single hybrid, providing different and more effective sources of blackleg resistance.
How are A.I. and machine learning being used in canola breeding for blackleg resistance?
A form of A.I. called machine learning is applied to genomic techniques that identify desired genetic traits such as resistance to blackleg disease faster than traditional phenotyping methods, helping reduce the time it takes to move superior canola varieties from the greenhouse to the field.
Why is blackleg pressure increasing on the Canadian Prairies?
According to Liban, the incidence and severity of blackleg have been steadily rising over the past five years, especially in areas with intense canola production, due to tighter rotations and increased canola acreage, which has led to changes in the pathogen population and the emergence of more destructive strains.
How can crop rotation and field scouting help manage blackleg in canola fields?
Proper crop rotation, with at least a one in three year rotation and preferably longer, helps prevent blackleg and enhances the effectiveness of resistant hybrids. Regular scouting early in the season at the two to six leaf stage to look for leaf lesions, and spraying early, help keep blackleg from reaching the base of the stem and causing significant loss.
Why is choosing blackleg resistant canola varieties important and what does BrettYoung offer?
Choosing proper canola varieties reduces the impact of blackleg and lessens the need for more costly chemical solutions. Planting hybrids with the highest level of built in blackleg resistance offers producers their best chance of success, and BrettYoung has an exclusive line of high yielding canola varieties with major gene blackleg resistance, such as 6090 RR and 6076 CR, in its DefendR Blackleg line.
