Project Number: 5442-21220-023-38
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 01, 2005
End Date: May 31, 2009

Objective:
To monitor and evaluate pre- and post-infection environmental conditions that promote Sclerotinia stem rot epidemic development in canola; to characterize the spatial development of Sclerotinia stem rot epidemics under North Dakota conditions; and to evaluate the relationship between strength of the source of disease inoculum and the creation of spatial disease gradients by Sclerotinia stem rot epidemics.

Approach:
Leaf wetness duration, relative humidity under crop canopy, and soil moisture information will be gathered from numerous experimental test sites across North Dakota. This information in combination with data developed by the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network will be used to develop a disease warning system that will consider environmental factors as they affect epidemic development. In addition, the spatial attributes of stem rot epidemics will be evaluated for the development and/or adoption of site-specific disease control measures.