Researchers' unusual discovery could help control soybean root rot Monday, January 28, 2013 by DIANNE FETTERLYAn unusual discovery by a team of researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre may lead to better control of soybean root rot.The scientists found that a pathogen responsible for soybean root rot breaks the genetic law that determines how characteristics are passed down through inheritance. The pathogen has figured out how to defeat most of the major resistance genes in the soybean plant therefore allowing the root rot, a fungus, to attack the plant. “We are pretty excited because (the discovery) goes against the normal laws of genetics,” explained researcher Dr. Mark Gijzen. As a way to explain the discovery, he compared the pathogen's unusual behavior to that of human genetics, where in rare cases, both brown-eyed parents can produce a blue-eyed child.While researchers still don't know how the pathogen manages to slip past the soybean plant's defenses, knowing that it behaves this way could lead to more options for growers battling the disease on their farms. “We are now trying to understand how the pathogen is able to beat soybean resistance and adapt. It could have broad implications for the industry in helping to create a better method of controlling root rot disease,” Gijzen said.The pathogens responsible for root rot disease survive in the soil as spores. High moisture germinates the spores allowing them to affect the plant's roots. Root rot tends to thrive in soybeans grown in heavy clay or wet soils as well as heavily compacted soils and crops planted to no-till. Selecting seed varieties treated with fungicides will help combat the disease. Also, good management practices, such as crop rotation and reducing plant stress by avoiding low, wet fields can help keep root rot in check.It took scientists at the centre about four years to make the discovery but Gijzen has spent nearly 20 years working on root rot research. He said this new knowledge can be used immediately by seed companies to help determine which fungicides work best in seed treatments; crop testing facilities; and other researchers to create more resistant varieties. It can even be applied to other crops, such as potatoes, since soybean root rot and potato blight organisms are fairly similar.According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, root rot is considered to be one of the most destructive diseases of soybeans in Ontario. Agriculture Canada estimates national annual production losses from the disease at $40-$50 million.Gijzen's research was recently published in the online journal, Nature Communications. BF Co-operative responsibilities change hands Ontario's premier designate takes on agriculture
Navigating Financial Literacy for Women in Ag Monday, November 4, 2024 By Deanna Ciaccia In today’s evolving agricultural landscape, financial literacy is crucial for success, particularly for women who are increasingly taking leadership roles in the agriculture sector. According to a recent article from FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha),... Read this article online
Ontario Pork Congress Annual Meeting report Friday, November 1, 2024 The Ontario Pork Congress was held on October 22, 2024, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 35 people attending. At the event, the association revealed the winner of its —Tara Terpstra, a Huron County pork producer who is currently Chair of Ontario Pork. The... Read this article online
Massey Ferguson introduces six new tractors Friday, November 1, 2024 Massey Ferguson has debuted its new of tractors, what the company calls a line-up of versatile and powerful machines designed to meet the needs of modern farmers. This series includes six new models, each tailored to different farming requirements and preferences. MF... Read this article online
Farmers and small businesses worried about Federal Debt Crisis Friday, November 1, 2024 Nearly 74% of Canadian small businesses express concern over the federal government’s lack of a concrete plan to balance the budget, as deficits and federal debt continue to rise, reports the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). These sentiments are also held by many growers... Read this article online
Bills C-244 and C-294 have been adopted Friday, November 1, 2024 On October 31, without much ado, and were adopted by the Canadian Parliament and are poised to become law. These bills amend the and represent a historic step forward in the right-to-repair movement, especially for Canadian farmers. allows consumers and businesses to... Read this article online