Blackleg isn’t a new disease for canola growers but it’s a very important one, says Ted Labun, Seedcare technical lead with Syngenta Canada.

“For many years, blackleg was well-managed by resistant genetics and longer rotations,” says Labun. “But over time, researchers have found that blackleg races can change and adapt. This is why we’re seeing a steady increase in blackleg over the past 10 years.”

Another important piece of the blackleg puzzle is understanding how the timing of infections can impact canola.

Early airborne blackleg infections are mainly responsible for the stem infections we see late in the year. After infection, the blackleg fungus moves from the cotyledon to the leaves and then infects the stem. This restricts the plant’s ability to access moisture and nutrients important for final yield. In the most severe cases, stem girdling will cause lodging and may even cut off the plant completely.

A 2020 study by Gary Peng at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), published in the Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, found that effective control of early infection (at the cotyledon stage) can reap the biggest benefits for preventing later blackleg infections.

“Typically, when we see severe disease symptoms at the end of the season, the damage is already done,” says Labun. “But now, in addition to rotations and varieties, we have a new tool to protect canola at the cotyledon stage, giving you a more sustainable, integrated approach to managing blackleg.”

Protect against early blackleg infection with a seed treatment

Seed treatments have been found to provide the best chance to target the early, most damaging blackleg infections when cotyledons are especially vulnerable. Research by Dr. Dilantha Fernando at the University of Manitoba in 2019 showed that Saltro^® fungicide seed treatment from Syngenta is active on blackleg and protects cotyledons at emergence.

For the first time ever, new Helix Saltro^® seed treatment from Syngenta defends canola against foliar infections caused by airborne blackleg, protecting plants at the most critical crop stage to maximize yield potential.

Helix Saltro^® contains ADEPIDYN^®, a novel Group 7 fungicide that’s highly effective against the blackleg pathogen. Helix Saltro^® moves through the plant’s water conducting system (xylem) and is taken up into the cotyledon so it’s present and active when needed most. This happens even when emergence is uneven or occurs over a period of time after planting.

Labun notes that Helix Saltro^® brings together new and proven technologies. “On one hand, you have Helix Vibrance^® foundation seed treatment with protection against flea beetles, plus seed-borne blackleg, Alternaria and seedling disease complex,” he says. “Then you have Saltro^® providing strong protection against early airborne blackleg infection.”

In several 2018 and 2019 Syngenta field research trials, canola seed treated with Helix Saltro^® showed significantly lower stem infection levels than untreated canola seed or current canola seed treatment
standards.

Do you need a blackleg seed treatment?

In addition to protecting against infection, Helix Saltro^® – when used as part of an integrated approach – complements varietal resistance to the airborne blackleg pathogen.

According to the Canola Council of Canada, varieties with resistant genes will only protect against non-virulent blackleg races that are of the same type. In other words, the “key” (resistance gene) needs to fit the “lock” (target blackleg race) perfectly. 

“With Helix Saltro^®, growers can find peace of mind knowing that no matter what blackleg races are present in their fields, the seed treatment will protect canola varieties suited to their farms and help ensure those varieties reach their full potential,” says Labun.

Helix Saltro also helps to reduce disease inoculum on stem trash, lowering the risk of future blackleg infections.

But remember: seed treatments are just one aspect of an integrated management strategy. Helix Saltro^® should be used as part of a program that includes scouting (fall sampling), crop rotation, variety selection and genetic rotation.


​​​​​​​Performance evaluations are based on internal trials, field observations and/or public information. Data from multiple locations and years should be consulted whenever possible. Individual results may vary depending on local growing, soil and weather conditions. Always read and follow label directions.