Spreading dogbane is a creeping herbaceous perennial weed in lowbush blueberry. Management is limited primarily to spot applications of dicamba, though recent herbicide registrations facilitate the evaluation of new broadcast and spot herbicide applications. The objectives of this research were to determine (1) the effect of sequential postemergence (POST) mesotrione application interval on spreading dogbane, (2) the effect of sequential POST mesotrione and foramsulfuron applications on spreading dogbane, (3) the effect of POST herbicide tank mixtures on spreading dogbane, (4) the effect of summer and fall spot herbicide applications on spreading dogbane, and (5) the effect of spot applications of dicamba tank mixtures with sulfonylurea herbicides on spreading dogbane. Broadcast mesotrione (144 g a.i. ha⁻¹) and foramsulfuron (35 g a.i. ha⁻¹) applications did not control spreading dogbane. Control was not improved by sequential applications of either herbicide. Broadcast mesotrione + foramsulfuron applications reduced non-bearing-year density and may be more effective than either herbicide applied alone. Broadcast flazasulfuron applications reduced non-bearing-year shoot density and flazasulfuron + foramsulfuron applications reduced non-bearing-year and bearing-year shoot densities. Summer spot applications of foramsulfuron and flazasulfuron caused 70% injury to spreading dogbane but did not reduce shoot density, and dicamba continues to be the most effective spot herbicide treatment. Fall spot applications did not control spreading dogbane due to early senescence of spreading dogbane shoots. Spot applications of dicamba at 0.96 or 1.92 g a.e. L water⁻¹ provided equivalent spreading dogbane control and efficacy was not improved by tank mixture with foramsulfuron, flazasulfuron, or nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron.

The global ornamental plant market has been providing economic stability to nations for decades. To achieve enhanced productivity of ornamental plants, it is necessary to develop effective nutrient management techniques. A 2-year study was conducted to develop efficient nutrient management protocols for Syngonium (Syngonium podophyllum Schott.), a high-value, commercial-potential plant. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with 11 nutrient management treatments, comprising different doses of water soluble fertilizer (WSF) alone or in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or phosphorus solubilizing biofertilizer (PSB), and these treatments were compared with commercial fertilizer as well as control. The results revealed that the integrated use of WSF with its higher dose (4 g kg⁻¹ soil) and PSB (200 mg kg⁻¹ soil) application significantly improved the plant height and the plant spread by 10.4%–25.2% and 5.7%–12.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the soil fertility and nutrient concentration in the leaves were also observed to be significantly improved due to the combined application of WSF and PSB. Likewise, the maximum leaf fresh (257.5 g) and dry weight (36.1 g) were recorded in treatment with WSF 4 g + PSB. However, WSF in conjunction with AMF resulted in the highest root fresh and dry weight over other nutrient combinations. In conclusion, it was found that for better foliage and root growth of Syngonium with improved soil fertility and plant nutrient content, integrated application of WSF with either PSB and (or) AMF is suitable.

Economic and social pressures are spurring the study of alternate weed management strategies such as the development of competitive crop cultivars, capable of being used under an integrated management plan. The primary objective of this research was to determine whether western Canadian spring wheat (Triticum spp.) cultivars differ in their ability to compete against model weeds and whether those differences were expressed when challenged with wild weeds. A total of 71 wheat cultivars were grown in the absence or presence of simulated [cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.) and oriental mustard (Brassica juncea L.)] or natural [wild oat (Avena fatua L.)] weed competition conditions. Significant (p = 0.01) weed by cultivar interactions involving changes in yield cultivar rank were detected, indicating that the cultivars responded differently to competition. A small minority of cultivars such as Glenlea, CDC Rama, Genesis, AC Taber, AC Vista, Plenty, Napoleon, and BW652 had high-yield potential coupled with yield maintenance under weed pressure. The competitive ability advantage appeared to be associated with plant height or tillers per square meter as well as shorter vernalization requirement combined with photoperiod sensitivity. These outlier cultivar differences could be exploited in breeding new widely adapted varieties for scenarios where reduced herbicide weed control is desired, including situations where herbicide resistance limits chemical options. Cultivars with differing competitive ability under model weed conditions maintained their ranking when challenged by natural weed infestations. This suggests that selecting competitive spring wheat cultivars using a repeatable protocol based on model weeds is realistic.

Ultra-early spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planting systems based on soil temperature on the northern Great Plains have lower overall variability in grain yield, and can increase grain yield relative to current calendar date-based spring wheat planting systems used in the region. However, ultra-early planting when soils are cold (2 °C), and resulting early crop emergence, precludes most foliar pre-seeding weed control options. Field trials were conducted at three sites in western Canada from 2017 to 2019 to evaluate the crop safety, broadleaf weed efficacy, and growing system stability resulting from the inclusion of fall applications of soil-applied residual herbicides prior to planting wheat ultra-early the following spring. Flumioxazin (protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor; Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) group 14) and pyroxasulfone (very long chain fatty acid synthesis inhibitor; WSSA group 15) were applied alone and in combination at multiple rates in the late fall prior to ground freeze. The following spring, hexaploid spring wheat was planted ultra-early, based on a soil temperature trigger of 2 °C, and later, triggered by a soil temperature of 8 °C. When planting was completed ultra-early, grain yield was greater, and variability of grain yield was lower. Herbicide treatments increased broadleaf weed control, and in some environments further increased grain yield and reduced grain yield variability without resulting in phytotoxicity. The ability to safely incorporate fall-applied residual herbicides into ultra-early spring wheat planting systems provides an option for growers to adopt ultra-early planting without negatively impacting weed management on their farms.

The objective of this study was to reveal the potential of using Fourier transform mid-infrared (FTIR) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as tools for the determination of indigestible neutral (NDF) fraction (iNDF) of whole-crop barley silage. A total of 48 whole-crop barley silage samples collected from 48 different farms in Western Canada were analyzed for iNDF. Reference values were matched with NIR and FTIR spectra. Spectral data processing (pretreatments) included first derivative, standard normal variate, multiplicative scattering correction, second derivative, and orthogonal signal correction. Prediction equations were obtained from each model using an external validation set. The coefficient of determination for the external validation of iNDF was 0.62 for FTIR and 0.41 for NIR, while the corresponding ratio performance deviation was 1.69 and 1.38 for FTIR and NIR, respectively. Results from this research showed the high potential of applying infrared molecular spectroscopy for the examination of forage plant fiber digestibility. More studies are needed to improve the accuracy and performance of FTIR and NIR spectroscopies in predicting the iNDF of whole-crop barley silage samples.

Marker-assisted selection requires the identification of molecular markers associated with major genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In this study, we used 167 doubled haploid lines derived from two unregistered spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) parental lines that belong to the Canada Western Special Purpose wheat market class to map QTLs associated with five traits using inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). Using ICIM, the least-squares means phenotype data across three to four environments, and a genetic map of 2676 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) out of the wheat 90K SNP array, we identified 10 QTLs associated with days to maturity (4A and 5B), plant lodging (4B, 5A, 5D, and 7D), grain yield (2D), leaf rust (4A), and stem rust (1A and 2B). Each QTL individually explained 6.0%–22.3% of the phenotypic variance and together accounted for 8.6%–38.2% of the total variance per trait. Two of the QTLs associated with rusts (QLr.dms-4A and QSr.dms-1A) had a minor effect (6.0%–9.0%), whereas the second QTL for stem rust (QSr.dms-2B) had a major effect (22.3%). Although chromosome 2B harbors multiple disease resistance QTLs, the physical location of QSr.dms-2B has not been reported in previous studies. Results from this study provide additional valuable information to wheat researchers; in particular, the area on chromosome 2B should be considered for future analyses.

Polyamine oxidases (PAOs) are flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent enzymes that are involved in polyamine catabolism and play an essential role in growth and developmental processes as well as the response to abiotic stresses. Although the PAO gene families have been intensively studied in many plants, the soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) PAO gene family has not been systematically identified. Here, we identified six PAO genes in the soybean genome and named them GmPAO1–GmPAO6. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that plant PAO proteins are divided into four classes. GmPAO1 and GmPAO4 belong to class I; GmPAO2, GmPAO5, and GmPAO6 belong to class IV. Similar to most dicotyledonous plants, soybeans do not contain class II. Interestingly, we identified an additional SWIRM-domain PAO gene GmPAO3, which exists between classes III and IV. GmPAO3 had a different gene structure and expression. To determine the individual roles of GmPAOs, we analyzed their expression levels in various tissues and under abiotic stress. Each GmPAO gene can respond in a specific tissue under specific abiotic stress. The data can help to clarify the role of GmPAOs in abiotic stress responses in soybean and provide a breeding basis for enhancing soybean tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub.) is utilized worldwide in traditional medicine, due to its high levels of phenolic compounds that possess bioactive properties with a wide range of therapeutic effects on human health. However, there is little work on the direct production of fireweed for these beneficial phytochemicals. To examine the effects of nutrient availability on fireweed biomass production and metabolomic profile, fireweed plants were grown in a hydroponic greenhouse system with varying concentrations of Hoagland’s nutrient solution. As the concentration of the nutrient solution increased, shoot dry mass increased, and root:shoot ratio decreased. Variation in untargeted metabolomic profiles were detected in leaf, stem, and root tissues of hydroponically produced fireweed in response to nutrient level. Several metabolic features were identified, most notably the therapeutic compounds oenothein B and miquelianin. Relative abundances of oenothein B and miquelianin were largely unaffected by nutrient treatments, while several other phytochemicals increased in abundance as nutrient content decreased. This work demonstrates the potentiality of hydroponically cultivated fireweed to supply raw material for phytochemical demand, but the effects of mineral nutrient amendment must first be reconciled with biomass production.

Hulless barley is a relatively new crop in eastern Canada. Best cultural practices must be developed for hulless barley to achieve its maximum yield potential. A study was carried out to identify the optimum seeding rates for hulless barley in eastern Canada. Six barley lines consisting of two-row and six-row covered and hulless varieties (AAC Azimuth, AAC Starbuck, CDC Ascent, AAC Bloomfield, AAC Ling, and CH2720-1) were seeded in six different seeding rates (250, 350, 450, 550, 650, and 750seedsm⁻²) in a factorial experiment with four replications at seven sites across eastern Canada. The results showed that the optimum seeding rate for covered barley was 250–350 seeds m⁻², but those for hulless barley higher yield potentials were achieved at seeding rate from 450 to 550 seeds m⁻². Two-row varieties were higher yielding and had higher protein concentration than six-row varieties. The results of this study show that there is potential for further development of high-yielding two-row cultivars for eastern Canada.

Sainfoin is a highly nutritious non-bloating leguminous forage crop of temperate regions. Despite non-bloating properties, its use in pastures was limited due to low dry matter yield (DMY), lack of persistence in the mixed pasture, and slow regrowth. The paradigm then shifted when new sainfoin cultivars planted in mixtures with alfalfa reduced 98% bloat incidence in ruminants. Two experiments were conducted to determine the compatibility of sainfoin with grass and alfalfa. Experiment (Exp.) I was established by drilling alfalfa cv. Longview and orchardgrass cv. Kayak with new sainfoin populations in alternate or cross-seeding rows under irrigated and unirrigated conditions in Lethbridge, AB. Exp. II was established by drilling sainfoin populations in mixture with alfalfa cultivars in alternate rows under irrigation. DMY and botanical composition (dry matter basis) were observed for both experiments. In Exp. I, monoculture orchardgrass produced the least DMY compared with the mixtures under both growing conditions and over all growing seasons. Alfalfa–sainfoin mixture yielded higher under irrigatated and less under unirrigated conditions relative to alfalfa monoculture. The percentage DMY contribution of sainfoin in alfalfa–sainfoin mixtures decreased but increased in sainfoin–orchardgrass mixtures over successive harvests under both environments. In Exp. II, we observed that new sainfoin populations mixed with alfalfa cvs. Beaver and Longview yielded greater (P < 0.05) than their corresponding monocultures and this increase was not associated with the proportion of the species in the mixture suggesting new sainfoin populations are as productive as alfalfa.

L'alpiste roseau (Phalaris arundinacea L.) est une espèce adaptée au littoral du lac Saint-Pierre. Elle peut être utilisée comme source de fourrage et sa biomasse résiduelle en fin de saison peut être utilisée par les poissons pour y déposer leurs œufs lors de la crue printanière. Une régie plus intensive favorise la production fourragère (6974 kg MS/ha), tandis qu'une régie moins intensive produit des rendements en fourrages moindres (2600 kg MS/ha) mais maximise la biomasse résiduelle à l'automne (6271 kg MS/ha). La régie à favoriser dans le littoral devra tenir compte des besoins agricoles et des besoins fauniques.

CDC Vantta durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum) is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. CDC Vantta combines high grain yield potential, strong straw, and a semi-dwarf growth habit. CDC Vantta is resistant to leaf and stripe rusts and common bunt, and expresses high yellow pigment in the grain and superior pasta colour compared with check cultivars. CDC Vantta has low cadmium concentration and is eligible for grades of the Canada Western Amber Durum class.

AAC Cranbrook (registration #9545) is a six-row spring general purpose barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar derived from the cross Synasolis/OAC Chesley//Cyane using a modified bulk breeding method. AAC Cranbrook has 9% higher grain yield than Cyane and 4% higher grain yield than HY621-6R, and it has good lodging resistance. AAC Cranbrook performs well in Ontario.

“AAC Sorel” is a spring, two-row, general-purpose barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) released by the Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. AAC Sorel is similar in yield to the check cultivars with very good lodging resistance and moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe). AAC Sorel is recommended for barley growing areas in eastern Canada.

Forefront is an awned hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar with high yield potential, shorter stature with good lodging tolerance, and excellent rust resistance. During the three years of testing in the High Yield Wheat Cooperative test (2017–19), Forefront yielded similar to and matured one day later than the highest yielding check cultivar AAC Foray. Forefront had 10cm shorter plants than AAC Foray, with a similar lodging score. Forefront had slightly higher test weight, lower grain weight, and higher grain protein content than AAC Foray. Forefront was rated “resistant” to the prevalent races of leaf, stem, and stripe rusts, whereas “moderately susceptible” to common bunt and Fusarium head blight (FHB) during the three years of testing. The end-use quality characteristics of Forefront were within the range of the checks of the Canada Prairie Spring Red market class.

AAC Kongsore is a white-hulled spring oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivar selected and developed under organic management. AAC Kongsore had high yields under organic and conventional production systems, compared to check cultivars (AAC Oravena, Leggett, AC Morgan and CDC Dancer). AAC Kongsore has good physical and milling quality traits.