Research Objective
To evaluate the effect of lime products on suppressing Aphanomyces root rot; to conduct field trials for evaluation of products in the pipeline for efficacy against Aphanomyces root rot.
Hydrated lime and gypsum were effective in reducing root rot severity or improving yield at one site (Swift Current) in one year. The products did not reduce root rot severity or increase yield at any of the other site in any of the years. A combination of an Aphanomyces tolerant line with a Rancona Trio seed treatment significantly reduced disease severity compared to the untreated AAC Carver in 2023, however the response was not consistent across all sites. A yield increase was observed with one of the Aphanomyces tolerant lines and Rancona Trio at Swift Current only. In 2022, MustGrow applied in furrow prior to seed increased yield at the Taber site, but this effect was not observed again at any of the sites in 2023. These results indicate that despite extensive effort and research, options for managing Aphanomyces root rot in infested fields remain limited.