Producers have limited means to test for the presence of aphanomyces ahead of the growing season, but some new tools are coming online, literally, to help determine aphanomyces risk.
Meagan Reed, agronomy manager with Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, says that growers do have some tools in the toolbox to manage for aphanomyces risk, including rotating away from pea and lentil for several years and seed treatments.
For those looking for a way to test for aphanomyces, Reed says that a soil test will only give a positive/negative for aphanomyces presence. A bait test — where a pea or lentil seed is grown out in the soil to determine severity of aphanomyces — will give growers a more objective test to help make rotation decisions.
Reed adds that for those taking on rented land or new land in 2024, there is now an online resource — the Aphanomyces Risk Evaluation App (AREA) — where farmers can gauge risk based on several factors, including incidence recorded in the area.
Looking for more information on managing root rots, including aphanomyces? Check out rootrot.ca.
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