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Fungal diseases of canola in Australia: identification of trends, threats and potential therapies

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Abstract

Fungal diseases are the major constraint on canola (Brassica napus) production in Australia and worldwide. Blackleg (caused by Leptosphaeria maculans) and Sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) are the predominant diseases limiting production but, with increased intensification of production, other diseases previously considered of minor importance and sporadic may be increasing in prevalence. We report on the incidence and severity of four ‘minor’ diseases of canola in Australia: white leaf spot (caused by Pseudocercosporella capsellae), downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica), Alternaria leaf and pod spot (Alternaria brassicae) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum). Diseases were monitored at more than 30 sites across Australia from 2013 to 2015. Regions were identified in which specific diseases are a consistent problem, such as white leaf spot in Hamilton in Victoria. In these regions, control strategies to minimise disease may be required. Varietal differences were observed for some diseases suggesting that resistance to these pathogens is already present in Australian advanced breeding material. Lastly, fungicide applications were shown to control some diseases such as white leaf spot.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Grains Research and Development Corporation for funding, and Advanta Seeds, Nuseed, Seednet, DuPont Pioneer and Canola Breeders Australia for providing seed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia

    A. P. Van de Wouw & A. Idnurm

  2. South Australian Research and Development Institute, Urrbrae, South Australia, 5064, Australia

    J. A. Davidson

  3. CSIRO Agriculture, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia

    S. J. Sprague

  4. Department of Agriculture and Food, South Perth, Western Australia, 6151, Australia

    R. K. Khangura

  5. South Australian Research and Development Institute, Port Lincoln, South Australia, 5606, Australia

    A. H. Ware

  6. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia

    K. D. Lindbeck

  7. Marcroft Grains Pathology, Horsham, Victoria, 3400, Australia

    S. J. Marcroft

Authors
  1. A. P. Van de Wouw
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  2. A. Idnurm
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  3. J. A. Davidson
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  4. S. J. Sprague
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  5. R. K. Khangura
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  6. A. H. Ware
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  7. K. D. Lindbeck
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  8. S. J. Marcroft
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. P. Van de Wouw.

Electronic supplementary material

Supplementary Table 1

Dates of sowing and harvest, monthly rainfall, minimum and maximum temperate data for all disease monitoring sites (PDF 60 kb)

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Van de Wouw, A.P., Idnurm, A., Davidson, J.A. et al. Fungal diseases of canola in Australia: identification of trends, threats and potential therapies. Australasian Plant Pathol. 45, 415–423 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-016-0428-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-016-0428-1

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