Research Objective

• Evaluate factors that affect clubroot's resting spore survival, germination, and infection to create an effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategy
• Identify canola lines that carry non-pathotype specific resistance and compare it against lines carrying strong pathotype-specific resistance
• Examine the hormonal changes in canola during clubroot development

Project Description

The explosion of new, virulent pathotypes of Plasmodiophora brassicae (clubroot) on canola crops in Alberta indicates that producers need management options for situations where no single source of strong genetic resistance is available to effectively manage all of the pathotypes of clubroot in their field. This study will examine factors that affect resting spore survival, germination, and infection in both controlled environments and field trials. The goal is to have resistance against the pathogen in general (not specific pathotypes) with the aim of improving it's durability of resistance. Finally, studies of changes in plant hormones in canola caused by clubroot will be studied to see if the host-pathogen interaction is similar to that studied in another species, Arabidopsis.