Pulse Science Cluster – Nematodes

Vigilance Towards Plant Nematodes to Sustain Pulse Production on the Canadian Prairies

Funding Program

Canadian Agriculture Partnership AgriScience Program – Pulse Science Cluster led by Pulse Canada and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG)

Funding Sources
Principal Investigator and Collaborators
  • PI: Dr. Mario Tenuta (Professor of Applied Soil Ecology, University of Manitoba)
  • Dr. Thomas Forge (Applied Soil Ecology & Nematology Research Scientist, AAFC – Summerland)
  • Dr. Francis Larney (Soil Conservation Research Scientist, AAFC – Lethbridge)
  • Dr. Syama Chatterton (Pulse Plant Pathology Research Scientist, AAFC – Lethbridge)
Synopsis

This project will improve our understanding of plant nematodes’ potential threat to pulse crops in order to prevent new market access issues, spread of disease, and yield decline.

Research activities will examine pulse crops and major rotation crops (canola and wheat) as potential hosts for root and stem nematodes, and determine yield loss thresholds for pulses and the effect on crop rotation strategies. Extension activities conducted in this project to garlic growers aim to prevent establishment and spread of D. dipsaci to pulse fields.

Our research will lead to outreach/information products to inform pulse growers as to what nematodes are, how they may affect their pulse crops, what field symptoms to look for and what practices to employ to limit establishment of harmful plant nematodes.

Juvenile and eggs of the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus neglectus inside a soybean root ©Priscillar Wenyika
Objectives

This project aims to improve understanding regarding plant nematodes to prevent new market access issues and prevent issues of disease in pulse crops on the Prairies. Specifically, this project aims to:

  • Understand the pulse host crops and yield losses due to the root lesion nematode, P. neglectus, found on the Prairies
  • Understand host rotation crops for the root lesion nematode
  • Recommend rotations to limit yield losses in pulses due to the root lesion nematode
  • Create awareness for scouting and sampling for the root lesion nematode and other nematodes to manage the pests
  • Inform garlic growers of phytosanitary practices to limit risk of spreading the market access nematode, D. dipsaci, to yellow pea fields
  • Determine why high temperatures allow D. weischeri to reproduce on yellow pea
  • Screen important crops grown in India to D. weischeri under temperature conditions reflective of that country
Benefits to the Canadian Pulse Industry
  • Improved understanding of the root lesion nematode, P. neglectus, and which crops it is parasitizing and what yield losses may be occurring
  • Address the issue of a possible avenue for market restriction to yellow pea exports because of D. weischeri
  • Prevent shutdown of markets for yellow pea because of disease in garlic caused by D. dipsaci
Applied Soil Ecology Lab MSc student Priscillar investigates host preference of the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus neglectus, by growing four common Prairie pulse crops (chickpea, lentil, pinto bean, and yellow pea) and three non-pulse crops (canola, wheat, and soybean) in soils naturally infested with P. neglectus. ©Krista Hanis-Gervais

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