Ask about our four-test package price on the following diseases:

Some crop insurance agencies require seed with low levels or to be free from infection.

400 seeds are tested, so a level as low as 0.25% can be detected. Ideally, disease free seed should be planted. When this is not possible, a disease test can help you choose seed with low infections and aid in finding a seed treatment. Most of the following tests take 7-10 days for incubation on agar media. Sometimes we observe some of these in germination tests.

Ascochyta

Ascochyta is a fungal and seed borne disease, which is commonly found in many pulses in Canada. Ascochyta pisi is the cause of Ascochyta blight. Foot Rot and Mycosphaerella Blight are caused by Ascochyta pinodella and Mycospaerella pinodes. Lesions of Ascochyta may be observed on stems, leaves or pods of the plant. These diseases can cause high yield loss in moist cropping years.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a fungal and seed borne disease caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. It is a serious concern in field beans and lentils. The symptoms of Anthracnose include black lesions on the pods with salmon coloured ooze and a purple border. Black spots can be observed on cotyledons and stems. Other than seed, spores can spread by rain splash and not a great distance with wind. Avoid entering fields when wet.

Botrytis

Botrytis is a fungal seed borne disease found in many pulse crops. For crop rotation, take into consideration that it may also be found in other crops like sunflower and flax. It is caused by Botrytis cinerea. It is often called Grey mould and is a cause for stem and pod rot. On fababean it is often called chocolate spot. The fungus is grey and may attack stems and pods. In humid conditions the grey/brown fungus can become web-like on the plants. It may become severe enough to make the seed soft and watery. It is very fast spreading.

Sclerotinia

Sclerotinia is a fungal seed borne disease caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. It is often called “white mould” or “cottony soft rot”. Sclerotinia can cause yield loss and cropping problems in peas, beans, lentils, fababean, sunflower, mustard, and rapeseed/canola. The white cottony mould can grow very quickly in humid weather. Affected plants wilt and die prematurely. Sclerotia bodies often form in the stems of the plants. These bodies can persist in the soil for long periods of time.

Source: Diseases of Pulse Crops in Western Canada, Alberta Agriculture