Page 309 - PC2019 Program & Proceedings

PLANT CANADA 2019

P191. Effect of biochar, vermicompost, micronutrient, and biofungicides for suppression of
Sclerotinia rot of cabbage
Burlakoti, R.; S. Warhaft; C. Koch
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

Sclerotinia rot is a major disease of Brassica vegetables in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia and
other vegetable growing regions in Canada. Sustainable management of Sclerotinia rot in vegetable crops
is challenging as there are few pest control products of any kind, either chemical or biological. The
objective of this research was to assess eco-friendly products such as biochar, vermicompost,
micronutrient, and biofungicides in reducing Sclerotinia rot of cabbage. These products were evaluated in
the laboratory to assess their antimicrobial effects on several strains of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolated
from cabbage fields of the Fraser Valley. In laboratory assays, growth of S. sclerotiorum strains was
inhibited by the biofungicide Serenade® Opti™ (Bacillus subtilis), however, the biofungicide Prestop®
(Gliocladium catenulatum) was not effective in inhibiting the growth of S. sclerotiorum strains. In
greenhouse assays, single and combined treatments of Serenade® Opti™, biochar, vermicompost, and
Active Flower™ (boron) were evaluated for the suppression of Sclerotinia rot in cabbage. These
treatments were compared with the standard chemical fungicide, Luna Sensation (a.i. Fluopyram +
Trifloxystrobin). Among these products, Serenade® Opti™ and Active Flower™ were effective in
reducing the Sclerotinia rot of cabbage, whereas biochar and vermicompost were not very effective.

Rishi Burlakoti (rishi.burlakoti@canada.ca)

P192. Effects of temperature, light quality and nutrients on spore germination and growth rate of
Colletotrichum acutatum
*
Charkhzarrin, Z. ; V. Gravel
McGill University

Colletotrichum acutatum is one of the most successful plant pathogenic fungi responsible for a wide
range of pre and postharvest anthracnose diseases. This pathogen threatens strawberry production in
Canada. Similar to other phytopathogens, spore germination is the first step in the pathogenicity process
and plays an important role in disease development for C. acutatum. Environmental conditions such as
temperature, light quality, and plant nutrient levels are expected to affect spore germination percentage. In
this study, in order to contribute to the management of strawberry anthracnose, the impacts of these three
different environmental factors, on spore germination were investigated. First, in an in-vitro assay on
potato dextrose agar, spore germination percentage and mycelia growth were measured at 5°C, 25°C, and
30°C. The highest spore germination and mycelial growth rates were observed at 25°C and the lowest
rates were observed at 5°C. Also, the same factors were measured under four light qualities (5:1, 1:5, 1:1
red:blue ratios and darkness) which are known to affect flower bud induction in strawberry plants. The
germination percentage and mycelial growth rates were minimal when treated with the ratio of 1:5
red:blue. Finally, spore germination was assessed on detached leaves obtained from strawberry plants
grown under different levels of nutrients (N, P, K, and Ca) to determine the potential effects of the
fertilizer on the spore germination.

Zahra Charkhzarrin (zahra.charkhzarrin@mail.mcgill.ca)

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