Researchers in southern Alberta are currently focusing efforts on combatting a persistent disease that affects up to 10% of Canada’s wheat crop annually, leading to significant financial losses for farmers. Known as tan spot disease, this fungal infection is characterized by small tan-colored lesions on wheat plant leaves, causing ongoing challenges for growers.
Dr. Reem Aboukhaddour, who heads Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research lab in Lethbridge, Alberta, is spearheading a global research initiative to enhance understanding of tan spot disease. While not the most destructive disease, its widespread presence poses a consistent threat to wheat fields.
In 2022, the wheat industry in Western Canada generated over $50 billion in revenue, supporting numerous jobs, with Saskatchewan being the largest wheat producer followed by Alberta and Manitoba. Despite its lesser-known status, tan spot disease contributes to significant financial losses annually, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.
Recent research breakthroughs from Aboukhaddour’s lab have shed light on the disease’s spread and infection mechanisms, offering hope for the development of disease-resistant wheat varieties. The ultimate goal remains safeguarding food production by enhancing genetic resistance against pathogens.
Understanding the virulence factors of tan spot disease, which are the tools it uses to evade a plant’s defenses, is crucial for effective management. Tan spot spreads through spores, overwintering on crop stubble and thriving in temperate wet conditions, particularly during early spring and in irrigated fields.
Research indicates that tan spot is highly adaptable and prevalent worldwide wherever wheat is cultivated. By analyzing the disease’s genome from a vast sample collection, researchers have uncovered its dynamic nature and the evolution of mechanisms to attack wheat plants.
Tan spot disease, identified approximately 50 years ago, belongs to a group of diseases known as the “leaf spot complex,” significantly impacting wheat yields. Managing tan spot can be challenging due to its survival over winters and limited information on resistant wheat strains, necessitating a multi-faceted approach for farmers.
Farmers employ various strategies, including crop rotation and fungicide use, to mitigate tan spot disease. However, the high cost of fungicides and the disease’s sporadic nature pose ongoing challenges for producers. Efforts to develop genetically resistant wheat strains offer a promising long-term solution to combat tan spot effectively.
While fungicides play a crucial role in disease management, concerns about their long-term efficacy and the potential development of resistance highlight the importance of genetic resistance in wheat varieties. Continuous vigilance and research are essential to proactively address emerging challenges and sustain wheat production.