Research Objective

Project Description

To develop tools for the efficient and accurate detection of viruses in Saskatchewan pulse crops; to determine the frequency of plant pathogenic viruses in Saskatchewan pulse crops; to quantify yield effects of Bean Yellow and Pea Seedborne Mosaic Virus in important pulse crop varieties; to document the symptoms of important pulse viruses, including BYMV and PSbMV on important Saskatchewan pulse crops and varieties; to test the vector capacity of pea aphid for transmitting BYMV and PSbMV to important pulse crop varieties; to examine the population genetic variation of PSbMV among North American growing regions.

Outcome

This project has six related objectives. Combined they are intended to develop tools for the detection of viruses in pulse crops and to evaluate the prevalence of these in various crops and locations. The first major activity associated with this project involves field collections from throughout the province. The first season of collection has been performed and these samples are being processed. The tool development has begun but has been substantially delayed due to recruiting and immigration issues associated with the postdoctoral fellow. Similarly, work with Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) has yet to begin as it is dependent on the completion and certification of the University of Saskatchewan Insect Research Facility (USIRF) quarantine facility. Symptom documentation of Pea Seed-borne Mosaic Virus (PSbMV) is on-going as are assays of vector competence.

Related Research