Page 164 - Plant Canada 2024 Proceeding

PLANT CANADA 2024

management program. Non-metric multi-dimensional Scaling and PERMANOVA of metagenomic data
from 2021-22 showed distinct microbial communities in low vs. high-risk soils. The relative abundance of
the following taxa was significantly greater in low-risk soils compared to high-risk soils in both years; fungi
in Aspergillaceae, Helotiales, Hypocreales, and Mortierellaceae; bacteria in Burkholderiales,
Chitinophagaceae, and Rhizobiales; and the oomycetes Albugo, Saprolegnia, and Phytopythium. The
abundance of Globisporangium was greater in high-risk soils. Analysis of metagenomic data from
samples collected in 2023 is in progress. Soil nutrient analysis for 2021–23 soils showed low-risk soils
had significantly less organic matter (~59%) and higher pH (~7) and calcium content (~83%) compared to
high-risk soils (70% organic matter, pH ~6, and 70% calcium content). Envfit analysis showed that the
composition of microbial communities in both low and high-risk soils was influenced by soil properties,
with bacterial communities having the greatest influence. This information will help to identify fields with
greater risk of cavity spot, enabling growers to avoid high risk fields.

[O122] PERFORMANCE OF SWEET POTATO UNDER HIGH-TUNNEL PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN
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SASKATCHEWAN. Jazeem Wahab , Reynald Lemke , Raju Soolanayakanahally , Champa Wijekoon ,
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Edmund Mupondwa , Erl Svendsen , Dale Tomasiewicz , and Evan Derdall . Saskatoon Research and
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Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2;
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and Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, 351 Tache Ave, Winnipeg,
MB, R2H 2A6
Correspondence to: Jazeem.wahab@agr.gc.ca

Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas L) is the sixth most important food crop in the world, after rice, wheat,
potato, maize, and cassava. Sweet potato is predominantly grown in African and Asian countries, and it
is becoming increasingly popular in the Western World including Canada. Sweet potato production is
increasing steadily in Canada. For example in 2022, Canada grew approximately 1200 ha of sweet
potato, produced 17,000 tonnes valued at $ 15 million. This is a corresponding increase of 57%, 31%,
and 24% respectively from 2018. Sweet potato is a warm season crop and requires minimal inputs
(water, fertilizer etc.) Presently, the Canadian sweet potato production is centered in Ontario and Quebec.
The present project explores the feasibility of producing sweet potatoes on the prairies taking advantage
of climate change induced relatively warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons. Results of a
2023 study conducted under high-tunnel production system (i.e. simulated climate change environment)
at the Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre, Outlook, SK, is presented in this paper.
Treatments included three sweet potato cultivars (Radiance, L105, and Orleans), two planting methods
(Bare-ground and Black plastic soil mulch), and two irrigation regimes (Partial -and Full-irrigation, using
drip system). The crop was planted on June 6, 2023 and harvested on September 11, 2023: i.e. (121
DAP). The harvested roots were graded based on root diameter: ‘Petite’ (35-60 mm), ‘USA No. 1 (45-90
mm) and ‘Jumbo’ (>90 mm). On average, the crop yielded 23 t/ha Petite roots, 37 t/ha USA No.1 roots,
and 7 t/ha Jumbo roots. All three cultivars produced similar Petite and Jumbo yields. However, L105
produced the highest USA No.1 yield (43 t/ha), Radiance the second highest yield (37 t/ha) and Orleans
the lowest yield (31 t/ha). Soil plastic mulch produced 31% higher Petite yield, 18% higher USA No.1
yield, and three-fold Jumbo yield relative to bare-soil planting. Both Full and Partial irrigation produced
similar yields. Root yield and grade size distribution in response to cultivar, irrigation and planting
methods will be discussed.

[O123] CULTURAL PRACTICES INFLUENCE WEED COMMUNITY AND SEEDBANK DYNAMICS IN
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THE LIVING LABS ATLANTIC. McKenzie-Gopsill A , Nyiraneza J , and Fillmore S . Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada Charlottetown Research and Development Centre; and Agriculture and Agri-Food
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Canada Kentville Research and Development Centre
Correspondence to: andrew.mckenzie-gopsill@agr.gc.ca

Stagnant yields and declining soil health are common characteristics of high-intensity, low-residue
cropping systems, such as potato, particularly in northeastern North America. Incorporating cultural
practices including cover cropping and manure application is a way to combat declines in agroecosystem
health and potato productivity. However, manure application and the use of cover crops may exacerbate
weed issues through seedbank additions. As part of the Living Labs Atlantic this study investigated how
the cultural practices of cover cropping and manure application and their associated management
activities can alter weed community dynamics and weed seedbank composition. In year one manure plots

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