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

• Published in: Australasian plant pathology Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 415 - 423
• Main Authors: Van de Wouw, A. P., Idnurm, A., Davidson, J. A., Sprague, S. J., Khangura, R. K., Ware, A. H., Lindbeck, K. D., Marcroft, S. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-08-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Airborne microorganisms; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Blackleg; Brassica; Breeding; Canola; Disease control; Diseases; Downy mildew; Ecology; Entomology; Fungal diseases; Fungi; Fungicides; Leafspot; Life Sciences; Original Paper; Plant Pathology; Plant Sciences; Powdery mildew; Stem rot; Australia; Disease resistance; diseases; Oilseed industry; Triazole fungicide
• ISSN: 0815-3191; 1448-6032
• DOI: 10.1007/s13313-016-0428-1

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.