Alberta canola growers are encouraged to step up field inspections this coming season to monitor for key diseases that can reduce plant health and yields. Agronomy specialists in the province are highlighting the importance of thorough checks throughout the growing period as conditions that favour fungal and soilborne pathogens persist. Regular assessment of canola stands before flowering and near maturity helps producers detect early signs of common diseases and make timely decisions that could limit crop losses.

Blackleg, sclerotinia stem rot and clubroot remain among the top concerns for canola fields in western Canada, with these diseases capable of overwintering in crop residue or soil and infecting plants at multiple growth stages. Blackleg infections can develop from cotyledon stages through to stem cankers, while sclerotinia is typically associated with cool, moist conditions around flowering that promote fungal spores. Soilborne clubroot can produce galls on roots, impeding nutrient and water uptake and posing long-term pressure on field productivity.

Field assessment protocols involve walking plots in systematic patterns to observe plant foliage, stems and roots for discolouration, lesions or gall formation. Inspecting stem cross-sections near the crown can reveal internal symptoms of stem diseases that are not readily visible above ground. Early and ongoing field surveillance assists producers in refining disease management strategies and planning rotations, cultivar selection and other crop inputs for future seasons.

Experts also note that cultivating a record of disease presence and severity across seasons supports better agronomic planning. Recognizing patterns of pathogen pressure in individual fields helps growers adjust their management approach and possibly reduce the risk of severe outbreaks in successive crops.