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Genetic diversity is vital for the survival of any population. If humans were all the same, a single strain of a nasty flu virus, like COVID-19, could wipe us all out! In plants, genetic diversity plays a similar role. The variation in the type and number of resistance gene(s) between individuals can cause the difference between surviving a disease or not. Studies on genetic diversity will lead to the identification of novel disease-resistance genes. Canola (Brassica napus L.) is an economically and nutritionally important oilseed worldwide. Several serious diseases, including blackleg, clubroot, sclerotinia stem rot, and verticillium stripe, threaten canola production in Canada and worldwide. Traditional methods are not enough for effective control of these diseases. Therefore, the ideal approach is to optimize and utilize the resistance genes found in different B. napus cultivars. With the advent of next-generation sequencing and the development of genomics and molecular genetics techniques, it is now possible to rapidly identify and apply resistance genes. This paper reviews current information about disease-resistance genes identified in B. napus cultivars, mapping and cloning, their importance, role and function, and their association with plant disease resistance and application in resistance breeding. The feasibility of using current resistance sources in Canadian cultivars for developing new disease-resistant cultivars is also discussed. Sustainability of a farm and an agricultural system could be maintained by breeding for disease resistance, including the resistant varieties and incorporating other integrated pest management strategies along with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is affected by many fungal diseases that can cause severe yield and quality losses. Disease prediction models generally employ weather data to estimate potential for infection to determine timing for fungicide applications, but these models fail to account for the presence and quantity of pathogen inoculum. This study adapted highly specific qPCR primers to identify and quantify, in real-time, inoculum present in air for the six most important wheat pathogens in Canada. Fungal spores were collected using either Burkard spore collectors and quantified using qPCR or microscope slides covered with adhesive tape and identified and quantified using microscopy. Samples were collected from seven different sites in southern Alberta throughout the 2015–2017 growing seasons. The results demonstrated that qPCR can reliably identify and quantify spores from Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, P. triticina, P. graminis f. sp. tritici, Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, and Fusarium graminearum. The limits of detection of DNA for primer pairs in singleplex tests ranged from 0.0001 ng for P. graminis to 0.001 ng for P. tritici-repentis, which corresponded to approximately 3 spores for P. tritici-repentis and F. graminearum and 1 spore for the other pathogens. Conversely, microscopy permitted identification of rusts to the genus but not to the species level and was ineffective in quantification of the remainder of the wheat pathogens. This study will contribute to the development of a fast and reliable forecasting system that will enable identification and quantification of airborne pathogens in real-time before initial disease symptoms appear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the abstracts of several research papers on plant pathology presented during the British Columbia Regional Meeting of the Canadian Phytopathological Society in 2003. Range of issues and subject matter discussed by the research papers; Author credits; Implications on studies of plant pathology.

For many years, researchers have been sceptical as to whether microbial biological control agents, and in particular biopesticides, would be developed for use in areas other than greenhouses and forestry. This perception is slowly changing as the increased development and use of biopesticides in Canada is moving from being a novelty to a reality. This paper examines the role of biopesticides in Canada and the nine stages required to take a microbial biopesticide from discovery through product development, striving for commercialization and adoption by the end user. It highlights examples of Canadian biopesticide innovations that have moved through the innovation chain, illustrating the challenges and rewards along the way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profiles Ralph Howard Estey, plant pathologist and recipient of the Canadian Phytopathological Society Lifetime Achievement Award for 2003. Educational background; Papers published.

Discusses the abstract of the paper "Pathogenic variability of Asoschochyta rabiei populations on chickpea in Saskatchewan," by S. Vail et al, presented during the joint regional meeting of the Alberta and Saskatchewan units of the Canadian Phytopathology Society in 2003.

Discusses the abstract of the paper "First report of clubroot of canola caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae in the Canadian prairies," by J.P. Terwin et al, presented during the joint regional meeting of the Alberta and Saskatchewan units of the Canadian Phytopathology Society in 2003.

Profiles Paul H. Goodwin, plant pathologist and recipient of the Canadian Phytopathology Society's Outstanding Young Scientist Award for 2003. Research activities on molecular and cellular biology of different plant diseases; Number of peer-reviewed scientific papers published.

Black leg of canola (Brassica napus), caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is primarily controlled by the use of resistant cultivars. In Canada, resistance has been effective for about 10 years, but the frequency of new pathotypes is increasing and there are reports of breakdown of resistance in some cultivars. Race-nonspecific resistance is present in many cultivars in Australia and Europe. The genetic basis of resistance in Canadian cultivars is unknown. This paper reviews our current knowledge relating to disease management using resistance in Canada and the genetics of race-specific and race-nonspecific resistance in the host-pathogen interaction between L. maculans and B. napus. The particular focus is on resistance associated with the A genome and how resistance might be achieved over the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the abstract of the paper "Occurrence of black knot on Prunus spp. in Alberta in 2003," by R.J. Howard et al, presented during the joint regional meeting of the Alberta and Saskatchewan units of the Canadian Phytopathology Society in 2003.

Discusses the abstract of the paper "Identification of two races of Collectrichum truncatum in Saskatchewan," by K.L. Anderson et al, presented during the joint regional meeting of the Alberta and Saskatchewan units of the Canadian Phytopathology Society in 2003.

Discusses the abstract of the paper "Assesment of the environmental suitability of the western Prairie region of Canada for fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum," by T.K. Turkington et al, presented during the third Canadian workshop on fusarium head blight, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 2003.

Discusses the abstract of the paper "Progress in forecasting: fusarium head blight risk forecasts in Manitoba," by D. Kaminski, presented during the third Canadian workshop on fusarium head blight, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 2003.