Biocontrol of economical important diseases of canola by using a bacterium and compost

Researcher:

Dr. Prem D. Kharbanda and Jian Yang, Alberta Research Council, Vegreville, AB

Project Code:

CARP 9916

Final Report:

August 2001

Summary:

Blackleg, rhizoctonia seedling blight and sclerotinia stem rot are economically important diseases of canola, which have caused millions of dollars of losses in western Canada. Researchers initiated a three-year study (1998 - 2000) to evaluate an effective technique for applying biocontrol agents to seeds and soil. Although the results of using PKB1 bacterium spores as a seed coating or for inoculating compost showed some activity against some of the diseases, it did not significantly reduce disease. More testing to optimize PKB1 activity is needed. Researchers also tested several different composts and found that generally disease suppression was achieved through the presence of beneficial microbes in the composts. Supplementing compost with known biocontrol agents may be an effective strategy for canola disease suppression.