Blackleg Discovered in Northern Idaho Canola Fields

Blackleg Discovered in Northern Idaho Canola Fields

Last week Blackleg was confirmed in Northern Idaho canola fields. Infestations have ranged from 1% of the plants to 30-40% of the plants. Washington State University Outreach and Extension Specialist for Oilseed, Karen Sowers tells canola growers it is critical to scout their fields for Blackleg.
Sowers: “Definitely get out in the field and it is not necessarily just not the crop in the field, it is weeds - brassica weeds like mustard. If they see something they can ask their field consultant or send a sample in to WSU or University of Idaho. We have the crop rotation in place now that should prevent most of this from happening. There is resistant varieties of canola to be planting. The big thing is to buy certified Blackleg free seed. And also have a seed treatment applied to the seed. But the crop rotation is a big one.”
Sowers says that if Blackleg lesions are discovered in a field that an application of fungicide will help the plants that are not infected from becoming infected.
If you have any cover crops, Sowers says that you also need to be scouting.
Sowers: “The somewhat popularity of cover crops right now — including these cocktail mixes that often contain brassica species that are not as heavily regulated in terms of certification as in a straight canola crop or camelina crop. So even if they have cover crops they need to get out there in the fields if there is any brassica in the mix.”
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