Blackleg

Blackleg is a fungal, seed borne Disease of Canola/Rapeseed. Seed with blackleg infection of any level is prohibited for use in Alberta. In other areas, infection free seed is ideal but low levels may be acceptable if a seed treatment is used. 1000 seeds are screened on blotter for blackleg infection. There are two strains of the disease: Virulent and Weakly virulent. If blackleg is found, a virulence test is done to discover which type is present. Weakly virulent is not a large concern as it does not attack as aggressively in the field. Varieties are now available that have good resistance to the disease, however testing should still be conducted as new strains of blackleg have been discovered. They can sometimes attack resistant varieties. For more information click below:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex147

Sclerotinia

In canola purity tests, a count of Sclerotia bodies is done to satisfy the requirements of the Seeds Act. 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 crop damage 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. For more info click below:
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/sclerot.htm

Alternaria

Alternaria is a common fungal seed borne disease of canola and other crops, caused by Alternaria brassicae or A. raphani. Commonly known as Black spot, it can cause serious yield loss in both wet and dry conditions. Polish cultivars are more susceptible than argentine types. For more info please click below:
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/alternar.htm

For further info on disease issues in canola see the following link:
http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca