Province keeps an eye out for late blight strains Monday, June 20, 2011 by SUSAN MANNOntario’s agriculture ministry is participating in a survey to find out what new strains of late blight there are in Canada.Agriculture Canada and the University of Manitoba are organizing and coordinating the survey.Michael Celetti, Ontario agriculture ministry plant pathologist for horticultural crops, says late blight is a serious pathogen of tomatoes and potatoes. It caused significant problems in 2009 in the province and some difficulties last year, particularly in organic tomatoes. It was to the point “where guys were losing their crop,” he says.Late blight is a fungus-like pathogen that can wipe out an entire crop. Celetti says he calls it a water mold. It causes a lesion on the leaves of potato or tomato plants. The lesion will expand fairly quickly and usually has a light green or yellow halo around it. As it expands, it takes the whole leaf. On the stems, it will make a chocolate brown lesion. On the underside of the leaf with the lesion, there will be a white, downy growth.Under ideal conditions, which are cool and wet, late blight will wipe out a crop in seven to eight days.Late blight can be splashed by water, blown around by wind or transported from infected areas by storms. It can also overwinter in potatoes from last year that were left in the field or be introduced on tomato seedlings for the home garden market. But Celetti says they aren’t aware of late blight being introduced in Ontario via tomato seedlings for the home garden market. Celetti says they haven’t seen late blight in Ontario yet this year. Some strains in previous years have been more resistant to certain fungicides. “That’s why we need to know,” what strains there are in Canada, he says, also noting some strains are more sensitive to a particular fungicide.“That’s why you look at it and say there has been some mating going on here and that’s why you’re getting all those variants,” Celetti explains. Last year’s late blight survey was very limited but this year researchers want to do a more extensive survey.Growers who spot late blight in their crop can contact Celetti at (519) 824-4120, extension 58910, or Janice LeBoeuf at (519) 674-1699. They will arrange to collect a sample. BF Bad taste in 'Dragon's' mouth worth $75,000 Niagara growers receive soybean planting deadline reprieve
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online