Research Objective

• Characterizing blackleg resistance associated with common cultivars used in Western Canada.
• Understanding how the race-specific resistance gene Rlm1 in canola is effective against blackleg.
• Understanding the mechanisms of quantitative resistance against blackleg.
• Study whether high temperatures affected quantitative resistance in canola.

Project Description

Researchers conducted a three-year study focusing on four key components using multiple commercial canola varieties to study how canola cultivars can either be resistant to specific types of blackleg (race-specific) or have a general resistance (non-specific). The overall results found that many race-specific canola cultivars carry a quantitative resistance (controlled by several genes) or race nonspecific resistance to blackleg in Canada. This study also identified for the first time how, at a molecular level, canola is quantitatively resistant against blackleg. These resistance resources can be valuable to blackleg management in Canada by understanding how to use both modes of action (race-specific and non-race specific). The information from the study will be shared with all stakeholders, including growers, breeding companies, and agronomists, to show the value of general resistance (not race specific) against blackleg in Western Canada.