Surveys of pests in pulse crops are important for monitoring for new diseases and insects, as well as to follow the severity of pests over time. In 2021 pulse crops were surveyed across Saskatchewan for foliar and root diseases as well as insects in crop. A seed quality survey of commercial seed test labs was also initiated to evaluate diseases on seed samples from the 2021 production year.
Disease Surveys
Disease assessments were made by visually examining plants from predetermined sampling patterns within each field. It is important to note that diagnosis of foliar disease was only based on visual symptoms in the field and no lab confirmation was carried out (except where noted).
Incidence is calculated as the percentage of the total number of plants assessed that have symptoms of the disease. For example – 76 out of 100 plants or 76% incidence within a field which is then averaged over the fields evaluated in each region.
Prevalence is a measure of the presence or absence of the disease in the field and is expressed based on the percentage of fields positive for that symptom. For example – Anthracnose symptoms are found in 31 out of the 36 lentil fields which equates to 86.1% prevalence.
Lentils
A total of 67 lentil field were surveyed for the presence and incidence of diseases in Saskatchewan. The survey was completed between July 5th to July 27th and ranged in staging from R1 (early bloom, one open flower at any node) to R7 (physiological maturity). The number of surveyed crops was highest in southwestern Saskatchewan, with 31 of the 67 crops surveyed located in this region. The distribution of the surveyed crops across the rest of the province was as follows: 15 (west central), 14 (southeast), 5 (east central) and 2 (northwest). Disease assessments were made by visually examining 10 plants from each of 10 sites along a W-pattern in each field. Individual sites were located at least 50 m from the field edge and at least 30 m apart. Crops were assessed for the incidence of anthracnose (Colletotrichum truncatum), ascochyta blight (Ascochyta lentis), sclerotinia stem and pod rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), botrytis stem and pod rot (Botrytis cinerea) and stemphylium blight (Stemphylium spp.) and the prevalence of root rot complex (Fusarium spp./ Pythium spp./Rhizoctonia solani/Aphanomyces euteiches) and all previous listed diseases. All disease assessments were made based on visual symptoms observed in the field.
Table 1. Prevalence of Disease in Saskatchewan Lentil Crops Surveyed in 2021
| Region1 | Number of Fields Surveyed | Prevalence (%) (number of fields with symptoms) | |||||
| Root rot complex | Anthracnose | Ascochyta blight | Sclerotinia stem & pod rot | Botrytis stem & pod rot | Stemphylium Blight | ||
| SW | 31 | 87.1 (27.0) | 71.0 (22.0) | 3.2 (1.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 48.4 (15.0) |
| SE | 9 | 85.7 (12.0) | 42.9 (6.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 28.6 (4.0) |
| EC | 5 | 80.0 (4.0) | 20.0 (1.0) | 40.0 (2.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 20.0 (1.0) |
| WC | 16 | 80.0 (12.0) | 66.7 (10.0) | 13.3 (2.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 33.3 (5.0) |
| NW | 2 | 100.0 (2.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) |
| Overall | 68 | 85.1 (57.0) | 58.2 (39.0) | 7.5 (5.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 37.3 (25.0) |
1Region: Southwest (SW); Southeast (SE); East Central (EC); West Central (WC); Northwest (NW).
Source: Saskatchewan Pulse Disease Situation Report 2021 submitted to Western Forum on Pest Management by Alireza Akhavan from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Table 2. Disease Incidence in Saskatchewan Lentil Crops Surveyed in 2021
| Region | Incidence of disease (%) (Incidence in only infected fields)2 | ||||
| Anthracnose | Ascochyta blight | Sclerotinia stem & pod rot | Sclerotinia stem & pod rot | Stemphylium Blight | |
| SW | 7.6 (10.7) | 0.1 (2.0) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 3.7 (7.7) |
| SE | 6.1 (14.2) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 1.6 (5.8) |
| EC | 3.4 (17.0) | 3.2 (8.0) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 8.2 (41.0) |
| WC | 6.1 (9.1) | 0.5 (4.0) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 1.9 (5.8) |
| NW | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) |
| Overall | 6.4 (11.0) | 0.4 (5.2) | 0.0 (NA) | 0.0 (NA) | 3.1 (8.3) |
2Average incidence of disease for all crops surveyed (disease incidence averaged across only fields with disease symptoms)
Source: Saskatchewan Pulse Disease Situation Report 2021 submitted to Western Forum on Pest Management by Alireza Akhavan from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Root rot complex symptoms were present in 85.1% of the surveyed crops. Across the regions, prevalence ranged from 80% to 100% of fields.
Anthracnose was the most prevalent disease in 2021 and was identified in 58.2% of the surveyed crops with an overall average incidence of 6.4%. The incidence of anthracnose was highest in Southwest Saskatchewan (7.6) followed by the west central and southeast (both 6.1%).
Stemphylium blight was observed in 37.3% of crops with an average incidence of 3.1%. Across the regions the prevalence of stemphylium blight ranged from 0% (northwest, only two fields were surveyed) to 48.4% (southwest) of surveyed crops.
Ascochyta blight was observed in 7.5% of surveyed crops with and average incidence of 0.4%. Across the regions the prevalence ranged from 0% (northwest and southeast) to 40% (east central), while the average incidence ranges from 0% to 3.2%. It is important to note that diagnosis was only based on visual symptoms in the field. Plants having visual symptoms that were consistent with Ascochyta blight were not confirmed with additional testing.
The levels of other diseases were relatively lower across all regions. Sclerotinia stem and pod rot and botrytis stem and pod rot were not observed this year.
Soybeans
A total of 15 soybean fields were surveyed and assessed for disease incidence and severity in Saskatchewan. The survey was completed between August 4th and 8th while crops were between growth stage R4 (Full pod) to R7 (Beginning maturity). The largest number of surveyed fields were located in the SE (13) with a smaller number of fields located in east central (2) Saskatchewan. Ten plants were assessed for the incidence and severity of diseases at five sites located in a W-pattern (at total of 50 plants per field). Individual sites were at least 50m apart and located at least 50m from the field edge. Each of the 50 plants were assessed for the presence of the following diseases: brown spot (Septoria glycines), bacterial blight (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. glycinea), downy mildew (Peronospora manshurica), white mould (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), pod and stem blight (Diaporthe sojae), anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.), frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora sojina) and phytophthora root rot (Phytophthora spp.). Disease severity was also assessed for brown spot, bacterial blight and downy mildew using a 0–5 rating scale with 0 meaning no disease present and five meaning that there were severe symptoms in the mid to upper canopy. The prevalence of iron chlorosis, sudden death syndrome (Fusarium virguliforme), soybean rust (Phakopsora meibomiae and P. pachyrhizi), charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) and soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) was estimated by recording the presence or absence in the field. All disease assessments were made based on visual symptoms in the field. Samples were collected and submitted to Dr. Yong Min Kim to test for the presence of root rot pathogens.
The most prevalent disease in Saskatchewan was bacterial blight which was present in 14 out of the 15 fields with an average incidence of 85.6% when averaged across all surveyed fields. The average disease severity of infected plants in fields with symptoms present was 2.1 as rated on a 0–5 rating scale.
Symptoms consistent with brown spot were observed in all surveyed crops with an overall average incidence of 79.47% and an average severity of infected plants in fields with symptoms present was 1.5.
Frog eye leaf spot symptoms were observed in one of the of surveyed crops with an average incidence of 16% in that field.
Downy mildew was only present in two fields with an average incidence of 11% in infected fields.
Symptoms consistent with Phytophthora root rot were found outside of the survey area in six fields in southeast Saskatchewan and were submitted to Dr. Yong Min Kim for further analysis. Also, symptoms suggesting sudden death syndrome were observed in one crop, but was not confirmed at the Crop Protection Lab.
Iron chlorosis was also observed in one of the fields surveyed.
No additional diseases including white mould, anthracnose, soybean rust, northern stem canker and charcoal rot were observed.
Table 3. Prevalence, Incidence, and Severity of Bacterial Blight, Brown Spot, Frog Eye Leaf Spot, and Downy Mildew in SK Soybean Fields in 2021
| Region | Prevalence (%)1 | Average Incidence in only infected fields (%)2 | Average Severity3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial blight | 93.3 | 85.6 | 1.9 |
| Brown spot | 100 | 79.5 | 1. 2 |
| Frog eye leaf spot | 6.7 | 16 | NA4 |
| Downy mildew | 13.3 | 11 | 0.13 |
1Prevalence = the percent of crops surveyed with symptoms of the disease
2Average incidence of the disease averaged across crops with disease symptoms
3Average severity of infected plants averaged across crops with disease symptoms
4Not Assessed
Source: Saskatchewan Pulse Disease Situation Report 2021 submitted to Western Forum on Pest Management by Alireza Akhavan from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Peas
In total, 48 field pea crops were surveyed in Saskatchewan in 2021. The highest number of surveyed crops were located in west central and southwest Saskatchewan with 13 and 11 of the surveyed fields located in these two regions. The distribution of fields across the six regions in the province is described in Table 8. The survey was completed between June 28th and July 22nd. Crop growth staged ranged from R1 (flower bud) to R5 (beginning maturity). Disease assessments were made by examining ten plants from each of five sites along a W-pattern with at least 30 m between sampling sites. Crops were assessed for the incidence of root rot complex (Aphanomyces euteiches, Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Pythium spp.), Mycosphaerella blight and Ascochyta foot rot [Peyronellaea (Mycosphaerella) pinodes, Ascochyta pisi and Phoma medicaginis f.sp. pinodella], downy mildew (Peronospora viciae), white mould (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), and bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi). The severity of the root rot complex and mycosphaerella/ascochyta blight was assessed for each plant using a 1–7 severity rating scale. All disease assessments were made based on visual symptoms in the field. No additional testing was conducted to confirm diagnosis.
Root rot complex was present in 91.7% of the surveyed field pea crops with an average incidence of 51.4% across the province. Average disease incidence ranged from 29.1% (east central) to 74.0% (northwest). Disease severity was generally low with an average severity of 2.3 across the province.
Mycosphaerella/Ascochyta complex was present in 83.3% of surveyed fields and was assessed based on per cent of plant affected. Average incidence was 33% and ranged from 18% (west central) to 62% (southeast) and average severity was 1.4 across the province.
Symptoms consistent with bacterial blight were present in 22.9% of crops. Bacterial streaming test was conducted with a microscope on representative samples but no additional testing was performed to identify/confirm the causal organism. Presence of this disease may be influenced by crop damage due to adverse weather in these regions.
Downy mildew was observed in a single field in the east central region. White mould was not present in surveyed fields this year.
Table 4. Prevalence of Root Rot Complex, Mycosphaerella Blight, Ascochyta Foot Rot, White Mould, and Bacterial Blight in Saskatchewan Field Pea Crops in 2021
| Region | Number of Fields Surveyed | Prevalence (%) (number of fields with symptoms) | |||
| Root rot complex | Mycosphaerella/Ascochyta complex | White mould | Bacterial blight | ||
| SE | 8 | 100 (8) | 100 (8) | 0 | 37.5 (3) |
| SW | 11 | 100 (11) | 72.7 (8) | 0 | 63.6 (7) |
| EC | 7 | 57.1 (4) | 85.7 (6) | 0 | 14.3 (1) |
| WC | 13 | 92.3 (12) | 76.9 (10) | 0 | 0(0) |
| NE | 7 | 100 (7) | 85.7 (6) | 0 | 0 |
| NW | 2 | 100 (2) | 100 (2) | 0 | 0 |
| Province | 48 | 91.7 (44) | 83.3 (40) | 0 | 22.9 (11) |
Source: Saskatchewan Pulse Disease Situation Report 2021 submitted to Western Forum on Pest Management by Alireza Akhavan from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Table 5. Incidence and Severity of Field Pea Diseases in Saskatchewan in 2021
| Region | Root rot complex | Mycosphaerella/Ascochyta complex | White mould | Bacterial blight | ||
| Average Incidence (%) | Average Severity2 | Average Incidence (%) | Average Severity2 | Average Incidence (%) | Average Incidence (%) | |
| SE | 53.3 | 2.4 | 62 | 1.9 | 0 | 16 |
| SW | 63.8 | 2.5 | 24.2 | 1.3 | 0 | 10.9 |
| EC | 29.1 | 1.6 | 33.7 | 1.4 | 0 | 0.6 |
| WC | 42 | 2.1 | 18 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 |
| NE | 63.1 | 2.6 | 41.4 | 1.4 | 0 | 0 |
| NW | 74 | 3.3 | 30 | 1.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Province | 51.4 | 2.3 | 33 | 1.4 | 0 | 5.3 |
2Severity scale based on 1 (no disease) to 7 (severely infected or plant dead) rating scales specific to the diseases evaluated
Source: Saskatchewan Pulse Disease Situation Report 2021 submitted to Western Forum on Pest Management by Alireza Akhavan from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Chickpeas
Source: Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
A chickpea root rot survey, led by Dr. Sabine Banniza at the University of Saskatchewan, was conducted in 19 chickpea fields located in 14 of the most severely affected RMs identified during the 2020 chickpea root rot survey. This survey included molecular testing of roots as well as visual assessments of chickpea plants and roots. The severity of above-ground symptoms ranged from completely healthy plants (1) to almost entirely dead plants (5) while the mean field severity of above-ground disease ranged from 2.2 to 4.4. Root lesions rand from small lesions (>1) to 100% root discolouration and hypocotyl lesions (6).
Molecular testing revealed that Fusarium solani, F. avenaceum, and F. redolens were the most prevalent root rot species in the chickpea fields surveyed. There was also detection of F. culmorum and F. sporotrichioides in some fields as well as Verticillium dahlia in several fields. Phytophthora, Verticillium albo-atrum or Thielaviopsis were not detected in any of the samples. Although F. oxysporum generally identified, there was no presence of F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri detected in the chickpea samples.
Chickpea fields were also surveyed as part of the ongoing Chickpea Health Issue investigation. This survey was led by Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current. 75 Chickpea fields across 32 RMs were assessed in July and rated on a scale of 0–5 for aboveground symptomology of chickpea health issue. Samples were collected and submitted to Dr. Hubbard’s research team for further analysis. Additionally, paired samples of healthy plants relative to unhealthy plants were collected from 26 of these fields and submitted to a commercial lab for in-season diagnostic evaluations by SPG. Field histories were obtained on many of the fields included in the survey to try to better understand possible connections between chickpea health issue severity and environmental conditions and management factors. More information on the Chickpea Health Issue and analysis performed to date can be found in the Chickpea Plant Health Updates.
Table 6. Disease Severity Visually Assessed in Above-Ground and Root Material and Molecular Identification of Root Rot Pathogens in 19 Chickpea Fields Surveyed as Part of Chickpea Root Rot Survey
| RM | Above-ground Disease Severity | Root Disease Severity | Root Rot Pathogens Detected1 | |||||||||||
| Min | Max | Mean | Mean | Fsol | Fav | Fre | Fcul | Foxy | Fspo | PG | Vda | Val | Tbas | |
| 7 | 3 | 5 | 4.4 | 6.0 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 12 | 2 | 5 | 2.6 | 2.8 | ● | ● | ● | |||||||
| 12 | 2 | 5 | 3.0 | 2.2 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||
| 43 | 2 | 5 | 3.4 | 2.4 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 68 | 2 | 3 | 2.4 | 2.2 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 70 | 3 | 5 | 3.1 | 2.5 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||
| 72 | 2 | 5 | 3.5 | 2.8 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||
| 73 | 3 | 4 | 3.8 | 4.4 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||
| 73 | 2 | 4 | 3.0 | 2.8 | ● | ● | ● | |||||||
| 73 | 2 | 5 | 3.1 | 2.6 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 74 | 2 | 5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 103 | 1 | 5 | 3.0 | 1.6 | ● | ● | ● | |||||||
| 103 | 1 | 5 | 3.6 | 3.4 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 104 | 1 | 5 | 2.3 | 4.0 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 130 | 2 | 3 | 2.4 | 3.0 | ● | ● | ||||||||
| 131 | 2 | 3 | 2.2 | 3.0 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||
| 161 | 2 | 5 | 2.8 | 1.8 | ● | ● | ● | |||||||
| 162 | 2 | 4 | 3.3 | 2.0 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| 162 | 2 | 5 | 3.2 | 1.6 | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
1Fsol (F. solani); Fav (F. avenaceum); Fre (F. redolens); Fcul (F. culmorum); Foxy (F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri); Fspo (F. sporotrichioides); PG (Phytophthora genus); Vda (Verticillium dahlia); Val (V. albo-atrum); Tbas (Thielaviopsis basicola).
Source: Source: Based on 2021 grasshopper count survey data, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Insect Surveys
Various insect surveys were coordinated by Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and results are presented below along with comments.
Grasshoppers (various species)
Grasshopper numbers increased from 2021 and many incidents of spraying were reported throughout the province and in many crops. Please note that localized hotspots may be underrepresented due to their proximity to lower densities on the map. Heavy populations (30 m2) were detected in the southwest near Enterprise and Maple Creek (the latter was detected in a brown mustard field); populations > 10 m2) were detected in the southwest near Enterprise (multiple sites RM 142), Souris Valley, Fox Valley, southeast near Torquay, Alida, Oungre, and Lampman, northeast near Bjorkdale and northwest near the Battlefords. Moderate counts (5–10 m2) were found at approximately 50 sites throughout the province. No grasshoppers were found on only eight sites. Two-striped grasshoppers were indicated as dominant in many regions where species identification occurred. Migratory grasshopper and clearwing grasshopper was also detected at multiple sites; clearwing grasshopper caused major damage to barley near Cadillac. Clearwing grasshopper numbers were again high in pasture (40 m2) in RM Laurier (SE) in late July. No Entomophthora grylli (fungal pathogen that kills grasshoppers) occurrences were noted.
Pea Aphids (Aphididae Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harr.))
Pea aphid issues in lentil were very low in 2021 with only one out of 67 fields that were assessed during the lentil disease surveys reporting the presence of pea aphids. Lentils, peas, and faba bean are all hosts to pea aphids; however, spraying specifically for the purpose of controlling pea aphids was not reported in pulse crops in the 2021 season. Low populations of pea aphids are likely attributed to high temperatures experienced during the 2021 growing season.
Continued work on economic thresholds for aphids is ongoing and as-yet unregistered chemistries for both peas and lentils, especially with newer crop varieties, is warranted.
Table 7. Aphids and Grasshoppers in Lentils
| Region | Fields Sampled | Fields with Aphids | Fields with Grasshoppers |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| NW | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| SE | 14 | 0 | 5 |
| SW | 31 | 1 | 9 |
| WC | 15 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 67 | 1 | 17 |
Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture 2021 Disease Survey as reported by Dr. James Tansey
Lygus spp.
Lygus populations were present in many fields, particularly late in the season. Survey work led by Dr. Sean Prager from the University of Saskatchewan was conducted in faba bean fields spanning 12 quarter sections. 90% of the fields sampled had Lygus present and the most densely infested field had 238 (sum) Lygus. This is over five times what was found in the most densely infested fields from 2020.
On average, 9.6 Lygus were found per quarter section. The most densely infested fields were located in east of Highway 2 and north of Highway 16.
Pea Leaf Weevil (Sitona lineatus (L.))
The survey of pea crops covered most of the growing region of the Province – establishment detected north to North Battleford and Tisdale regions and continued establishment detected to the MB border. Although faba bean is also a host the survey is limited to dry pea. Late season occurrence in faba reported in NE. The 2021 survey indicated that numbers continued to be low although some increases were detected in the NE and NC regions.
Seed Quality Survey
The interim results of commercial plate tests for seed-borne pathogens of 402 field pea, 449 lentil, and 59 chickpea samples are summarized in Table 9. The number of pathogen-free samples continues to be very high across key seed-borne diseases evaluated in field pea, lentil, and chickpea samples. All pathogens were reported at a lower mean severity and incidence compared to results from the 2020 seed survey. Botrytis incidence and infection levels were low in all crop districts and there were no levels of sclerotinia measured on any of the submitted pulse samples to date. Ascochyta in field pea and anthrancose in lentil are both showing reduced level of infection compared to the previous season. Anthracnose in lentil is not considered high risk for seed-to-seedling transmission but should be considered when planting infected seed into clean fields as it could be a source of inoculant. The percent of pathogen free samples reported for ascochyta in chickpea was higher than the 2020 season and the overall mean infection levels of non-pathogen free samples was lower; however, several crop districts reported values higher than the accepted threshold of 0.3%.
The seven year summary of the seed quality survey in Table 9 shows 2021 interim data compared to 2015/20 full results. 2021 interim results showed among the highest proportions of pathogen free-seed and lowest mean infection levels relative to all seasons prior.
Read the fact sheet to learn more about seed testing and assessing seed lot quality.
Table 8. 2021 Saskatchewan Seed Sample Results by Crop District for Seed-Borne Ascochyta and Anthracnose
| Crop District | Lentil | Field Pea | Chickpea | |||||
| Ascochyta | Anthracnose | Ascochyta | Ascochyta | |||||
| PFS1 | Mean2 | PFS | Mean | PFS | Mean | PFS | Mean | |
| (%) | ||||||||
| 1A | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 94.4 | 1 | 100 | 0 |
| 1B | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
| 2A | 100 | 0 | 92.5 | 1.2 | 100 | 0 | 57.1 | 2.5 |
| 2B | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 83.3 | 1 | 100 | 0 |
| 3AN | 100 | 0 | 83.3 | 0.3 | 50 | 0.7 | ||
| 3AS | 100 | 0 | 98 | 1 | 81.3 | 0.8 | 53.3 | 1.5 |
| 3BN | 100 | 0 | 92.5 | 0.8 | 92.3 | 0.5 | 100 | 0 |
| 3BS | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
| 4A | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
| 4B | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 90 | 0.5 | 100 | 0 |
| 5A | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||||
| 5B | 61.8 | 1 | ||||||
| 6A | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 70.6 | 0.8 | ||
| 6B | 98.8 | 0.3 | 96.4 | 0.3 | 73.8 | 1 | 87.5 | 0.5 |
| 7A | 100 | 0 | 97.8 | 0.4 | 83.3 | 1.5 | 50 | 0.3 |
| 7B | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 76.7 | 1 | 50 | 0.3 |
| 8A | 72.7 | 1.5 | ||||||
| 8B | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 67.9 | 1.2 | ||
| 9A | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 66.7 | 0.8 | ||
| 9B | 100 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 66 | 1.7 | ||
| Average | 99.8 | 0.3 | 96.6 | 0.7 | 74.9 | 1.1 | 72.9 | 1.3 |
1 PFS – percent of samples that are pathogen-free (pathogen-free samples)
2 Mean – average infection level of samples with disease
Source of seed quality data for 2021: Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab, 1105 Railway Ave., Weyburn, SK; 20/20 Seed Labs Inc., 507 – 11th Ave., Nisku, AB; Discovery Seed Labs Ltd., 450 Melville St., Saskatoon, SK
Table 9. Seven-Year Summary of Pulse Seed Samples Tested at Accredited Labs from Seed Grown From 2015-21 in Saskatchewan (2021 data is interim results as of December 28, 2021)
| Crop | Pathogen | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 (int.) | |||||||
| PFS1 | Mean2 | PFS | Mean | PFS | Mean | PFS | Mean | PFS | Mean | PFS | Mean | PFS | Mean | ||
| (%) | |||||||||||||||
| Lentils | Ascochyta | 98.5 | 0.1 | 97.8 | 0.4 | 98.1 | 0.9 | 98.0 | 0.4 | 95.5 | 0.8 | 97.9 | 0.5 | 99.8 | 0.3 |
| Anthracnose | 72.4 | 1.0 | 60.4 | 0.8 | 95.1 | 0.7 | 94.1 | 0.5 | 89.2 | 0.9 | 85.3 | 1.2 | 96.6 | 0.7 | |
| Botrytis | 54.8 | 1.8 | 14.8 | 3.3 | 90.3 | 1.1 | 96.2 | 1.0 | 93.2 | 1.0 | 95.9 | 0.8 | 99.6 | 0.4 | |
| Sclerotinia | 90.3 | 0.4 | 33.3 | 1.0 | 95.4 | 0.8 | 97.7 | 0.5 | 96.0 | 0.7 | 97.8 | 0.5 | 100.0 | 0.0 | |
| Peas | Ascochyta | 36.5 | 2.4 | 8.4 | 5.4 | 66.4 | 1.6 | 59.0 | 2.4 | 36.3 | 4.7 | 33.9 | 2.8 | 74.9 | 1.1 |
| Botrytis | 74.8 | 1.6 | 61.1 | 0.9 | 93.3 | 0.6 | 99.1 | 0.9 | 93.6 | 1.0 | 93.6 | 0.8 | 99.2 | 0.5 | |
| Sclerotinia | 90.6 | 0.3 | 78.3 | 0.7 | 98.5 | 0.4 | 99.2 | 0.6 | 99.0 | 0.6 | 99.1 | 0.6 | 100.0 | 0.0 | |
| Chickpeas | Ascochyta | 40.0 | 4.1 | 65.6 | 4.7 | 97.2 | 0.6 | 74.9 | 1.2 | 51.3 | 3.2 | 44.1 | 3.2 | 72.9 | 1.3 |
| Botrytis | 42.4 | 3.8 | 37.0 | 8.4 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 96.3 | 1.1 | 86.6 | 1.9 | 87.1 | 1.1 | 90.3 | 0.3 | |
| Sclerotinia | 83.3 | 0.5 | 74.1 | 2.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 98.1 | 2.2 | 89.8 | 0.9 | 99.3 | 0.3 | 100.0 | 0.0 | |
1 PFS – percent of samples that are pathogen-free (pathogen-free samples)
2 Mean – average infection level of samples with disease
Source: Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
To understand the risks and potential damage associated with these pests, the Ministry of Agriculture and its partners monitor the presence, abundance and impact of important crop pests in Saskatchewan. This information is used to build forecast maps and make recommendations for control. Data from the pest surveys are archived and used as a reference to see historical trends that can be used to guide research initiatives or identify changes in pest pressure. Pest-related research is also supported through pest surveys via the collection of samples used by researchers in studies.
To participate in the survey program enroll your farm today via this online sign-up form.
Acknowledgements
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers would like to thank the many people that helped with the coordination and carrying out of the surveys including: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Plant Health Officers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Saskatchewan, and the many industry partners and agronomists. Thank you to those growers who signed up their fields to allow the surveys to be completed.
Contributors/Authors:
- Alireza Akhavan, Provincial Specialist, Plant Disease, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
- Brian Olson, contractor for seed quality survey
- Carter Peru, Integrated Pest Management Agrologist, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
- Dr. James Tansey, Provincial Specialist, Insect/Pest Management, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
- Dr. Sabine Banniza, Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan
- Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Research Scientist, Pulse Pathology, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Dr. Sean Prager, Assistant Professor (Entomologist), University of Saskatchewan
- Sarah Anderson, Agronomy Manager, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Published February 2022
