Research Objective

• To optimize a hydroponic bioassay to phenotype the interaction between canola and P. brassicae
• To sequence the genome of all SSIs
• To identify P. brassicae SSI avirulence markers
• To design and implement a multiplex PCR assay able to differentiate P. brassicae isolates

Project Description

Among the diseases affecting canola, clubroot is one of the biggest threats for the Canadian canola industry. One of the challenges facing the industry is the need for reliable screening techniques to assess the durability of new forms of clubroot cultivar resistance and the identification and categorization of new and existing clubroot pathotypes. The proposed research addresses both of these important objectives by developing a bioassay to phenotype the interaction between canola and P. brassicae, identifying P. brassicae single spores isolates (SSI) avirulence markers, and developing a multiplex PCR assay able to differentiate P. brassicae isolates. All together this research will contribute greatly to P. brassicae management and to empower producers to make informed decisions about the best canola cultivar to use based on P. brassicae diversity in each field.