Field studies showed that hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) of “northern origin” produced more biomass than cultivars developed in milder climates. Hairy vetch biomass was greatest and weed biomass was lowest when vetch was planted in spring vs. mid-summer. Approximately 50 plants m^-2 maximized hairy vetch biomass production and weed suppression.

Tolerance of corn to halosulfuron applied at PRE, V1, V3, V5, and V7 leaf stages were determined during 2014 and 2015 in Ontario. Halosulfuron applied at PRE, V1, V3, V5, and V7 caused up to 13% injury at 1 WAT but the injury was transient with no effect on corn yield.

A western Canada field study investigated the effects of seeding date and rate on malting barley quality. Seeding date had little effect on quality. Increasing the seeding rate up to 300 seeds m^-2 resulted in higher germination and Kolbach indices, lower β-glucan, and better endosperm modification without compromising malt extract.

Gibberellic acid (GA) used as a foliar spray on ‘Renaissance Red’ poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) greatly increased flower stem length without lengthening production time or other adverse effects. A concentration of 10 mg L^-1 GA₃ applied weekly for the five weeks prior to onset of short days was most effective.

Two disbudded, potted chrysanthemum cultivars were subirrigated with 9.25, 12.3, and 18.5 mM N during vegetative, but not reproductive growth. At commercial harvest, visible symptoms of N deficiency or differences in plant/inflorescence quality were minimal, whereas N uptake efficiency was dramatically improved at 9.25 and 12.3 mM N.

Wild oat is the most economically detrimental weed species in the Canadian Prairies and effective herbicidal control options are limited due to widespread resistance to ACCase inhibitors, ALS inhibitors, and lipid biosynthesis inhibitors; therefore, evaluation of new herbicidal modes of action such as pyroxasulfone and sulfentrazone for control is critical. Two wild oat populations (HR08-210 and HR11-151) were first subjected to a discriminating dose screen to characterize resistance to ACCase and ALS inhibiting herbicides in comparison with a susceptible population (S1988). Dose-response experiments with triallate, pyroxasulfone, and sulfentrazone were then conducted to evaluate potential cross-resistance. Screening indicated both herbicide-resistant (HR) populations were resistant to ACCase- and ALS inhibiting herbicides, most likely due to enhanced metabolism and an ACCase mutation. HR08-210 and HR11-151 were resistant to triallate (resistance ratios of 2.53 and 3.39, respectively), but cross-resistance to pyroxasulfone (2.78) and sulfentrazone (2.0) was only observed in HR11-151. Results indicate previously selected resistance to ACCase and ALS inhibitors (enhanced metabolism and ACCase mutation) or triallate (enhanced endogenous gibberellins) could limit the utility of new herbicide modes of action for control of wild oat.

This study was aimed to investigate the control efficiency of crop rotation (CR) and intercropping systems for root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne sp.) in angelica (Angelica sinensis). Plants of angelica were intercropped with marigold (Tagetes erecta) plants in row-intercropping (RI) and plant-intercropping (PI) models in 2013. The continuous cropping (CC) model and sole cropping (SC) were used as the controls. The density change rate of nematodes in CR models (-83.63% and -72.61%) was lower than those in CC models. The CR model in 2013 showed the highest nematode control efficiency (44.83%), angelica yield (199.49 kg plot^-1), and output value (65971.50 yuan Renminbi ha^-1), and were the highest amongst the five models. The RI model showed a lower density change rate of nematodes (-23.34%) and a higher control efficiency for disease (36.63%) compared with the SC model. Both the rotation and intercropping models were efficient for controlling nematodes in angelica, and the rotation model was more effective than the intercropping models.

A canola (Brassica napus L.) experiment to determine the effect of unconventional or novel inputs compared with standard and increased seed and nitrogen rates was conducted at 14 different Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada sites in 2013 and 2014. All treatments were compared to a “best management practice” (BMP) treatment with canola seeded at 100 seeds m^-2 and fertilized according to soil test recommendations. Canola density across all sites averaged 56 plants m^-2 and increased to 76 plants m^-2 at 150 seeds m^-2. Flowering and maturity time were both decreased when 25% less nitrogen was applied in the side-band at seeding. Compared to the BMP treatment, there were trends for lower yield (P = 0.0528) when side-banded nitrogen was reduced by 25% at seeding time or for higher yield (P = 0.0530) when 25% more nitrogen was added as a foliar treatment at the bud stage. Canola yields were generally economically optimized in the BMP treatment at soil test recommended nitrogen rates. Increasing the seeding rate from 100 to 150 seeds m^-2 did not increase canola yield; however, it did decrease % green seed enough to potentially affect canola grade and economic returns. Increasing or decreasing nitrogen fertilizer compared to BMP often decreased or increased seed oil concentration, respectively, and had the opposite effect on seed protein concentration. Despite incurring additional costs compared to the BMP treatment, none of the novel inputs impacted canola emergence, days to flowering, days to maturity, yield or quality.

Optical sensors are a fast and nondestructive new technology used to estimate plant chlorophyll content by measuring leaf reflectance or absorbance of light. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) values calculated by the GreenSeeker™ hand held sensor as an indirect indicator of dianthus (Dianthus chinensis L.) N status, and investigate nutrient supplementation on deficient ‘Telstar™ White’ and ‘Telstar™ Red Picotee’ plants. Pots were supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g of 15N-3.9P-10K controlled release fertilizer (CRF). Soil and plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter, GreenSeeker™ NDVI sensor, and atLEAF meter readings were recorded for four consecutive weeks. At 49 d after planting (DAP), the 0 and 5 g treatments were found deficient and half of the pots were supplemented with extra fertilizer for treatment correction (C 0 and C 5, respectively). The SPAD and atLEAF readings showed stronger correlation to actual leaf N concentration compared with the GreenSeeker™. The GreenSeeker™ readings were less correlated with leaf N concentration at early stages of establishment due to the plants’ small size and background noise, as well as at later stages of establishment due to anthesis. Dianthus quality responses generally increased as fertilizer rates increased. The additional correction treatment showed a significant improvement in C 5 and no significant improvement on C 0, indicating that the correction treatment was beneficial for dianthus when initial amount of fertilizer was applied.

The efficiency of municipal biosolids (MB) and liquid swine manure (LSM) as fertilizers for old grass fields used for biomass production remains to be determined in northern areas. We determined the response of a 7 yr old grass field to organic and mineral N fertilization in two management zones. Soil and crop spatial variability was characterized, and two management zones were defined using soil electrical conductivity (EC). Nitrogen was applied at 160 kg total N ha^-1 for 3 yr as MB, LSM, or mineral fertilizer (M) along with an unfertilized control. Seasonal dry matter (DM) yields were 61% with no N applied, 87% with MB, and 95% with LSM of that with M. The apparent N recovery with LSM (38%) and MB (27%) was less than with M (51%). Management zones did not differ in responses of DM yield and apparent N recovery to fertilization treatments. Fertilization treatments affected the number of species and the contribution of the main species to DM yield. We concluded that MB and LSM are valuable sources of N for biomass production from old grass fields in northern areas and EC-defined management zones are unlikely to improve N management in similar situations.

The efficiency of maize pollen induced doubled haploid (DH) production in durum wheat is low mainly because of poor germination of haploid embryos on culture media. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of culture media supplements on DH production in durum wheat. Haploid durum embryos generated by the wheat × maize method from the cultivar Transcend and F₁ plants of a cross were cultured on a basic medium supplemented with 1 mg L^-1 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba), 1 mg L^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 100 mg L^-1 silver nitrate (AgNO₃), 1 mg L^-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 1 mg L^-1 indole acetic acid (IAA), 1 mg L^-1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), or 10 mg L^-1 ascorbic acid. The proportion of haploid plantlets per embryo increased significantly by 33% with the AgNO₃ supplemented medium over the basic medium, while the increase in proportion of doubled plants per embryo of 20% was not significant. The proportion of haploid plantlets was improved with BAP in the embryos of the F₁ plants, but the proportion of haploid plantlets and DHs per embryo produced with ascorbic acid and IAA were not different from the basic medium. Dicamba and NAA produced results less favorable than the control, and no germination occurred with 2,4-D. The advantage of AgNO₃ was attributed to a reduction in the microbial contamination of embryos.

The objective of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is to convert erodible cropland to perennial vegetation. Under severe drought, CRP land is frequently utilized for grazing; thus, there is a need to better understand trends in forage nutritional quality in species used in CRP plantings. This study evaluated 13 cool-season irrigated and dryland grasses from May to August and regrowth from September to November in northern Utah during 2004 and 2005 for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values. Species, sampling date, year, and sampling date × species interaction had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on CP, NDFD, IVTD, and NDF values. From May to August, there was a strong linear decline in CP, NDFD, and IVTD values. Mean CP values ranged from 68 to 251 g kg^-1 in all species examined. Orchardgrass, smooth bromegrass, RS-hybrid, and crested wheatgrass had CP, NDFD, and IVTD values similar to orchardgrass and timothy, but less than perennial ryegrass. Crested wheatgrass had NDF values similar to timothy, but less than orchardgrass. Crested wheatgrass and smooth bromegrass had the greatest nutritional quality and were often similar to orchardgrass, tall fescue, and timothy.

Strobilurin fungicides can be used to manage blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) of canola (Brassica napus); however, they have a high risk of selecting for resistance in fungal populations. In 2011, single-spore isolates of L. maculans were obtained from infected canola stubble representing six fields in Alberta, Canada. The isolates were grown on fungicide-amended agar plates and percent growth inhibition was calculated based on colony diameter relative to non-amended controls. Using probit regression analysis, the effective concentration of pyraclostrobin needed to inhibit mycelial growth by 50% (EC₅₀) was determined to be 0.09 mg L^-1 based on 13 isolates. To identify highly insensitive isolates, 117 isolates were grown on agar plates amended with a discriminatory dose of 6.25 mg L^-1. Isolates in which growth was inhibited <50% were considered insensitive. Growth inhibition values ranged from 66.6% to 100.0% with a mean of 84.3%, indicating that all of the isolates were sensitive to pyraclostrobin. Forty-one of the 117 isolates were also tested via a microtiter plate assay. Based on conidial germination and subsequent growth, the EC₅₀ values obtained for each isolate ranged from 1.0 × 10^-4 to 7.4 × 10^-3 mg L^-1, which were not significantly different from those of the sensitive controls (4.1 × 10^-3 and 5.7 × 10^-3 mg L^-1). While pyraclostrobin insensitivity was not detected in L. maculans populations from Alberta, continued monitoring will be necessary to track future changes.

The effects of pinching treatments carried out at the 3- and 6-true-leaf stages on harvest term and plant growth in processing tomato ‘Shuho’ (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were examined. Weekly yields in the 3- and 6-true-leaf pinching treatments were increased compared with those in the untreated control at 1 and 2 wk after the start of harvest, respectively. There were no differences among all treatments in yield, fruit weight, fruit number, or marketable fruit ratio. However, the fruit set ratio in the 3-true-leaf pinching treatment was increased more than those in the other treatments. The flowering periods in the pinching treatment groups were shorter than those of the control. The number of flowers per lateral shoot in the pinching treatment groups was greater than that in the control. DW in the lateral shoots in the 3-true-leaf pinching treatment was significantly greater than that in other treatment groups. The distribution of nitrogen and calcium in the lateral shoots in the 3-true-leaf pinching treatment was increased compared with those in other treatment groups. This result suggests that shortening of the harvest term and increasing initial fruit yield in the 3-true-leaf pinching treatment would be more efficient practices in processing tomato cultivation.

A segregating F₂ population was developed from a winter and spring type cross to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling root vigor and days to flowering in canola (Brassica napus). About 3090 polymorphic SNPs derived from genotyping by sequencing were used to develop a linkage map. A final linkage map was constructed with 658 SNPs at LOD 4. One QTL, NRV (Napus Root Vigor) was identified on chromosome A01 (24.7 Mbp) for root vigor explaining 16.3% of the phenotypic variation. GBF Interacting Protein 1 (GIP1) and SAUR-like family proteins are the two candidate genes related to root growth and development identified within this QTL region. Two QTL, DTF1 and DTF2, were identified for days to flowering, accounting for 21.7% and 15% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. DTF1 was assigned on chromosome C08 (9.43 Mbp) and two putative candidate genes, Light Regulated WD1 (LWD1) and FLOWERING BHLH 1 (FBH1) were identified within this QTL region. For DTF2, three putative candidate genes A. thaliana CENTRORDIALIS (ATC), Tetracopeptide Repeat (TPR), and Poly A Binding protein 3 (PAB3) were identified on the chromosome C04 (14.56 Mbp).

Cherry leaf spot (CLS) disease caused by Blumeriella jaapii is a significant constraint in nursery production of flowering cherries in the southeastern United States. The objectives of this study were to evaluate six commercial cultivars for host resistance to CLS and identify effective fungicides that can be recommended to growers. Out of six cultivars ‘Kwanzan’, ‘Okame’, ‘Autamnalis’, ‘Snowgoose’, ‘Yoshino’, and ‘Akebono’ evaluated for host resistance, only ‘Kwanzan’ displayed moderate resistance with the least amount of disease symptoms in a shade-house environment, followed by ‘Autamnalis’. ‘Yoshino’ was most susceptible to CLS in both the shade-house and field experiments. Out of seven fungicides evaluated individually and in rotations, captan in rotations with tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin and captan in rotations with chlorothalonil and acibenzolar-S-methyl were most effective in controlling CLS. A biopesticide (neem seed oil extract) and a biological control isolate (Stenotrophomonas spp.) were also effective in controlling CLS either alone or in rotation with conventional fungicides. This study identified effective fungicides, a biopesticide, and a biological agent that can be used along with resistant cultivars in CLS disease management.

Pulses play a significant role in nitrogen cycling as they fix atmospheric N₂ through symbiosis. However, it is unknown whether there are differences in the ability of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) among pulse species and individual cultivars. Here, we quantified the BNF ability of selected pulse cultivars and determined the effect on crop yield. A total of 25 species-cultivar combinations of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) were tested in 2008–2010. Pulses had a higher BNF in the wetter 2010 season, and a lower BNF in the drier 2009 season. In 2010, faba bean and chickpea had the highest BNF at 106 kg N ha^-1, followed by lentil, field pea, and dry bean at 87, 69, and 12 kg N ha^-1, respectively. Across years, field pea had the most stable BNF ability, fixing 55 kg N ha^-1 with an average seed yield of 2418 kg ha^-1. There are large differences in BNF and yield among cultivars within a species and the magnitude of the difference varied with years. Large genetic variability in BNF and yield suggest the possibility that pulse cultivars with a higher N₂-fixing ability and seed yield can be developed through selection of the N₂-fixing trait.

AAC Nicolas is a high yielding, widely adapted, white-hulled, spring-type, covered oat (Avena sativa L.) variety developed at the Ottawa Research and Development Center (ORDC) of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). It was supported for registration by Reseau Grandes Cultures du Quebec (RGCQ) in February 2014 and registered in Canada (Registration number 7621) on 18 Dec. 2014.

AAC Cabri durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. AAC Cabri has a solid stem that provides protection against the wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus Norton). Averaged over four years, AAC Cabri yielded significantly more grain than Strongfield, AC Avonlea, and AC Navigator, but the protein concentration was significantly lower than the high protein concentration cultivars AC Avonlea and Strongfield. AAC Cabri is eligible for grades of Canada Western Amber Durum and has low grain cadmium concentration.

UA AlfaGold is a Clearfield herbicide tolerant Brassica napus L. open-pollinated canola cultivar developed from a winter × spring B. napus canola cross and registered in Canada in 2015. On average, UA AlfaGold yielded 12.6% more seed but flowered and matured three days later than the WCC/RRC check cultivars. This cultivar had 0.6% higher oil in seed and 0.2% higher protein in meal than the WCC/RRC checks, and rated as resistant to blackleg disease. Development of UA AlfaGold demonstrates the utility of the European winter B. napus canola gene pool in the breeding of spring B. napus canola.

Conquer, an orange wheat blossom midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin) resistant hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), combines good agronomic performance with good resistance to leaf rust, stem rust, stripe rust, and common bunt. Conquer had similar maturity, acceptable straw strength, and higher test weight as compared with check cultivars. Based on end-use quality analyses, Conquer has acceptable quality for the Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat market class.

00Ar134-1 is an intergeneric spring wheat line derived from Elymus repens (quack grass). The line was developed as a potentially new source of resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat. 00Ar134-1 is resistant to Fusarium head blight as well as leaf rust, stem rust, and common bunt. Although lower yielding and taller than commercial cultivars, this line is of similar maturity and kernel weight. 00Ar134-1 can potentially be used as a resistant parent for improving Fusarium head blight resistance in common wheat.

AAC Spitfire durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. Averaged over four years, AAC Spitfire yielded significantly more grain than Strongfield, AC Avonlea, and AC Navigator, but the protein concentration was significantly lower than AC Avonlea and Strongfield. AAC Spitfire had significantly shorter and stronger straw than Strongfield. AAC Spitfire is eligible for grades of Canada Western Amber Durum, and it has low grain cadmium concentration and higher yellow pigment concentration than the check cultivars.

Lighthouse is an indeterminate, full-season navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar with an upright plant architecture, suitable for direct harvest, with a high yield potential, and a high level of resistance to common bacterial blight (CBB; caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli). Lighthouse is adapted to and recommended for the dry bean growing areas in southwestern Ontario.

OAC Spark is a determinate, early maturing navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar with an upright plant architecture and high yield potential. OAC Spark is adapted to and recommended for the dry bean growing areas in the Prairie provinces of Canada.

CO461 is a short season stiff stalk-type corn (Zea mays L.) inbred line with excellent combining ability as well as intermediate resistance to common rust, eyespot, and fusarium stalk rot. This inbred combines well with Iodent testers such as MBS8148 and TR1921.

CO462 is a short season corn (Zea mays L.) inbred line with excellent combining ability with both Iodent and stiff stalk inbred testers as well as superior cold tolerance and intermediate resistance to common rust, eyespot, and fusarium stalk rot.

AAC Wildfire is a hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar eligible for grades of Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat. It was developed using a modified pedigree breeding method. AAC Wildfire was evaluated across western Canada for four years in the Western Winter Wheat Cooperative registration trials, where it yielded significantly more grain than all of the checks (Radiant, CDC Buteo, Flourish, Moats) and expressed very good winter survival, relatively late maturity, medium height straw with very good lodging resistance, large kernels, acceptable end-use quality, and disease resistance appropriate for the western region of the Canadian prairies. AAC Wildfire was resistant to the prevalent races of stripe rust, moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight and common bunt, showed improved leaf spot reaction, and tolerance to the original biotype of Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) in North America. In the absence of effective fungicides, production of AAC Wildfire in the eastern Prairies is not recommended due to stem rust susceptibility.

Mist is an indeterminate navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) variety with full season maturity, high yield potential, and resistance to common bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli. Mist is adapted and recommended for bean growing areas in southwestern Ontario.

AAC Radius is a semi-leafless, green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. It is adapted to all field pea growing regions in western Canada. AAC Radius has medium maturity and seed size, and high seed coat integrity. AAC Radius has excellent bleaching resistance and high green seed color intensity. It is resistant to powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi Syd., and moderately tolerant to mycosphaerella blight caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes [Berk. & Blox.] Vestergr, and fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. emend. Snyd. & Hans. f. sp. pisi [van Hall] Snyd. & Hans.

OAC Brooke is an indeterminate food-grade soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivar with high yield potential and high seed protein concentration. OAC Brooke is adapted to and recommended for soybean growing regions in southwestern Ontario with 3050 or greater crop heat units. OAC Brooke has a relative maturity of 2.2.