Adzuki bean is a niche market, high-value field crop suited to the temperate growing regions of the world. Adzuki bean lacks early season vigour and thus early season weed control is critical for profitable production. Efficacious application of preplant incorporated (PPI), preemergence (PRE), and, to a lesser degree, postemergence (POST) herbicides have been documented, however, the number of registered herbicides is currently limited due to the sensitivity of adzuki bean crops. In addition to the currently registered products, the literature shows the potential utility of cloransulam-methyl or halosulfuron applied PPI and (or) PRE, and imazamox or acifluorfen applied POST in adzuki. Furthermore, growers should avoid atrazine, metribuzin, EPTC, pethoxamid, pyroxasulfone, clomazone, flumioxazin, sulfentrazone, alachlor, dimethenamid-P, and S-metolachlor applied PPI and (or) PRE, and halosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, and bentazon applied POST, due to poor adzuki bean tolerance to these herbicides. While crop tolerance research represents a growing body of work, there is a paucity of available weed control data to assist growers. The persistence of volunteer adzuki bean is a significant hurdle for adzuki bean growers. However, crop and herbicide mode-of-action rotation, in combination with early-season [PPI and (or) PRE] control, have demonstrated success. There is an ongoing need to evaluate weed control and expand the number of registered herbicides for adzuki bean growers.

White prairie clover [Dalea candida (Michx.) Willd.] is native to the dry prairies and hillsides of the Northern Great Plains. A study was initiated in 2012 with six white prairie clover populations collected from the Canadian Prairies. Plant growth characteristics, forage biomass, seed yield, and forage nutritive values were evaluated using a randomized complete block design in a field near Swift Current, SK. Three populations from Argyle, Carlowrie, and Big Grass Marsh (NCP588) in Manitoba displayed erect-type growth while those from Douglas Provincial Park and Stewart Valley in Saskatchewan and Writing on Stone Provincial Park in Alberta exhibited prostrate growth. The populations did not differ for mean biomass yield (79–104 g plant^-1, p = 0.54) and mean seed yield (6.6–9.1 g plant^-1, p = 0.69); however, they differed for bloom stage nutritional parameters such as acid detergent fibre (25%–30%, p = 0.04), neutral detergent fibre (34%–41%, p < 0.01), crude proteins (15%–18%, p < 0.01), phosphorus (0.24%–0.29%, p = 0.02), and iron content (144–360 ppm, p = 0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first report of comparative phenotypic, nutritional, and propagation study of native white prairie clover populations of Canada. The constraints and opportunities for successful domestication of white prairie clover as a forage crop are discussed.

To isolate the plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2 (PIP2) gene and its promoter from mulberry (Morus multicaulis), and to analyse its expression under stress conditions using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, the mulberry MmPIP2 gene was cloned and sequenced. The putative MmPIP2 protein was 282 amino acids long and contained Asn–Pro–Ala signature motifs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MmPIP2 is highly conserved, exhibiting strong homology with other plant PIP2s. The 5′ flanking sequence was cloned by genome walking and numerous transcription factor binding sites were identified. qRT-PCR revealed that the expression levels of MmPIP2 differed with changes in abiotic stress, indicating that PIP2 is a multifunctional molecule in mulberry. Studying the molecular mechanisms behind adaptations to stress and strengthening stress tolerance in plants are of fundamental importance to mulberry production.

Terpenoids are important secondary metabolites in plants. The synthesis of terpenoids involves a key enzyme, 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR). In an aromatic ornamental plant, Chrysanthemum indicum var. aromaticum, terpenoids were found to be an important component in leaf secretions. To study the regulatory mechanism of terpenoid synthesis in C. indicum var. aromaticum, we cloned the DXR gene from C. indicum var. aromaticum, named CiDXR, based on transcriptome data. CiDXR is 1419 bp, encoding a polypeptide chain of 472 amino acids. Comparative and bioinformatic analysis showed that CiDXR was highly similar to DXRs from other plant species. The protein product of CiDXR was analyzed for physical and chemical properties, and secondary and tertiary structures. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is an effective exogenous elicitor that can impact the synthesis of secondary metabolites by regulating the expression of a series of specific key enzymes. In our study, MeJA treatment was used to study the relationship between CiDXR expression and terpenoid metabolism. The expression pattern of CiDXR was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Leaves expressed the highest level of CiDXR mRNA. In addition, CiDXR expression was found to be activated by MeJA, up to 20-fold at 24 h post induction. The MeJA treatment significantly affected the relative contents of the secretion products, and the induction effect was maximal at 24 h, consistent with the expression of CiDXR. This study shows that CiDXR may play a key regulatory role in the control of terpenoid synthesis in C. indicum var. aromaticum.

NAC transcription factors have been found to play an important role in several plant development programs and stress responses. In this study, a NAC gene, ClNAC9 (Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium NAC gene), was isolated from a cDNA library constructed according to the known expressed sequence tag sequence. The cDNA full-length sequence of ClNAC9 is comprised of 881 bp, encoding a putative protein of 217 amino acids. ClNAC9 has a conserved NAC domain in the N-terminus — the NAM domain. ClNAC9 is highly similar to other NACs, especially SENU5 subgroup members. Transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing ClNAC9 controlled by the CaMV-35S promoter was generated and subjected to saline, alkaline, and drought stresses for morphological and physiological assays. Morphological analyses showed that transgenic plants had enhanced tolerance to saline, alkaline, and drought stresses, as indicated by improved physiological traits, including higher superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation. Moreover, overexpression of ClNAC9 enhanced up-regulation of RD29A, RD26, MYB2, and MYB96 expression, and reduced HAB1 expression under saline, alkaline, and drought treatments. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ClNAC9 is likely related to saline, alkaline, and drought resistances and overexpression of ClNAC9 increases the saline, alkaline, and drought resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis.

White mould caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a major constraint to irrigated dry bean production in southern Alberta. Irrigation, coupled with dry bean canopy architecture, may influence white mould by creating conducive environmental conditions. Field experiments were conducted from 2015 to 2017 at Lethbridge to determine the effect of three irrigation levels and five dry bean genotypes with different canopy architectures on white mould. Sensors and data loggers were established to monitor micro-climate data including soil moisture within the top 5 cm, leaf wetness, and soil temperature under the canopy. Canopy porosity, lodging, flower infection, and white mould disease severity were also measured. Higher moisture within the top 5 cm of the soil, lower soil temperature, elevated leaf wetness, and higher white mould incidence were observed in high irrigation plots compared with medium and low irrigation plots. Cultivars varied for leaf wetness, porosity, and lodging. Although a significant interaction between irrigation and cultivar was detected, irrigation levels did not affect disease severity significantly. Lower disease severity and incidence were recorded in AAC Burdett and Island. These cultivars have an upright growth habit, high canopy porosity, and lodging resistance, and therefore, exhibited partial field resistance (avoidance) to white mould. Mean yield across all cultivars was not affected by irrigation; however, the highest yield occurred in the medium irrigation plots. A reduced level of irrigation and development of cultivars with both avoidance and partial physiological resistance may reduce white mould severity and incidence in dry bean fields in Alberta.

Flazasulfuron was evaluated for crop safety and efficacy on hair fescue (Festuca filiformis Pourr.) in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields. Treatments consisted of flazasulfuron applied at 38 and 50 g a.i. ha^-1 in fall of the bearing year and spring and fall of the non-bearing year. Industry standard fall bearing year pronamide (2240 g a.i. ha^-1) and spring non-bearing year terbacil (2000 g a.i. ha^-1) and foramsulfuron (35 g a.i. ha^-1) applications were included for comparison. Pronamide consistently reduced flowering hair fescue tuft density in the non-bearing and bearing years across sites. Terbacil reduced flowering tuft inflorescence height in the non-bearing year, but did not reduce total or flowering tuft density in either year. Foramsulfuron reduced flowering tuft density and flowering tuft inflorescence number and height in the non-bearing year, but hair fescue recovered in the bearing year. Fall bearing year flazasulfuron applications did not reduce total or flowering tuft density or flowering tuft inflorescence number and height. In contrast, spring non-bearing year flazasulfuron applications reduced flowering tuft density and flowering tuft inflorescence number and height, though hair fescue recovered in these treatments in the bearing year. Fall non-bearing year flazasulfuron applications reduced hair fescue total tuft density, flowering tuft density, and flowering tuft inflorescence number in the bearing year. No treatments caused significant injury to wild blueberry. Flazasulfuron may contribute to improved hair fescue management in wild blueberry, and this herbicide should be evaluated further to confirm crop tolerance and identify potential use patterns with currently registered herbicides.

The area sown to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Alberta, Canada, and the rate of yield increase relative to other major crops have declined in recent decades. Advanced agronomic management of feed barley may increase the seeded area and differentially influence cultivar performance. Field experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2016 at 11 rainfed and three irrigated environments in Alberta to evaluate the performance of 10 feed barley cultivars under standard and advanced agronomic management. Advanced management included supplemental postemergence N, the plant growth regulator chlormequat chloride, and two foliar fungicide applications. Cultivars responded similarly to management in the low disease pressure environments encountered in the study. The two-row cultivars CDC Austenson, Xena, and CDC Coalition were the highest yielding overall, while Champion had the greatest yields in moisture-limited environments. The feed grain quality of two-row cultivars was superior to six-row cultivars. Recently released six-row cultivars were among the lowest yielding. Negative or static yield increases were observed for all newer cultivars (2006–2013 registrations) compared with the older cultivar, Xena (2000 registration). In comparison, the overall 9.3% yield increase from advanced management was notable. Advanced management yield increases were greater (8%–18%) in environments with 251–502 mm of precipitation and smaller (1%–3%) in moisture-limited environments. Management had negligible effects on lodging and grain quality. Optimal yield and quality were achieved with the two-row cultivars, CDC Austenson, Xena, or CDC Coalition, and advanced management in high precipitation environments. In environments with less precipitation, optimal yields were achieved with Champion and standard management.

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is primarily used for culinary purposes, but it is also used in the fragrance and medicinal industries. In the last few years, global sweet basil production has been significantly impacted by downy mildew caused by Peronospora belbahrii Thines. Nighttime exposure to red light has been shown to inhibit sporulation of P. belbahrii. The objective of this study was to determine if nighttime exposure to red light from light-emitting diodes (λ_max = 625 nm) could increase plant growth (plant height and leaf size) and yield (number and weight of leaves) in basil plants. In two sets of greenhouse experiments, red light was applied at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 60 μmol m^-2 s^-1 during the otherwise dark night for 10 h (from 2000 to 0600). The results demonstrate that exposure to red light at night can increase the number of basil leaves per plant, plant height, leaf size (length and width), and leaf fresh and dry weight compared with plants in darkness at night. The addition of incremental red light at night has the potential to be cost-effective for fresh organic basil production in controlled environments.

In the past, most sunflower research was conducted in tilled cropping systems and was based on wide row configurations established using precision planters. Little agronomic information is available for the no-till systems predominant in Saskatchewan, where crops are typically seeded in narrow rows using an air drill. Two studies were conducted in Saskatchewan to determine the optimum seeding and nitrogen (N) rates for short-season sunflowers in a no-till cropping system. The N rate study used 5 N rates (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 kg N ha^-1) with the hybrid 63A21. The seeding rate study used 7 seeding rates (37 000, 49 000, 61 000, 74 000, 86 000, 98 000, and 111 000 seeds ha^-1) with two cultivars, AC Sierra (open pollinated) and 63A21 (hybrid). There was a linear yield increase as the N rate increased from 10 to 90 kg N ha^-1. Based on the N rates tested in this study and current N fertilizer costs below $1 kg^-1, sunflower yields and gross returns were most favorable at 90 kg N ha^-1. Future N response research with a wider range of N rates is warranted to best determine the optimum N rate. The optimum seeding rate was between 98 000 and 111 000 seeds ha^-1 for AC Sierra and between 74 000 and 86 000 seeds ha^-1 for 63A21. The optimum plant density, approximately 70 000 to 75 000 plants ha^-1, was similar for both cultivars. These results are higher than the current recommended seeding rates for wide-row precision planting systems in areas with a longer growing season.

Tetranychus urticae Koch is a polyphagous pest that is widely distributed throughout the world and causes considerable damage to crops in northeastern Brazil. The effects of the essential oil from Aristolochia trilobata L., selected constituents, and an artificial mixture (sulcatyl acetate, limonene, linalool, and p-cymene) on T. urticae in terms of fumigant action, residual contact, and fecundity were investigated under laboratory conditions. The results were compared with eugenol, Azamax^®, and Ortus^® as positive controls. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the oil revealed a predominance of monoterpenes, with sulcatyl acetate (24.57% ± 0.40%) as the major component, followed by linalool (10.80% ± 0.27%). Toxicity varied with the method employed. Through fumigation, the A. trilobata oil was about 2.18-fold more toxic than the artificial mixture, whereas no significant difference between the two products was found with regard to residual contact. Regarding the selected compounds, the mite was most susceptible to linalool and p-cymene by fumigation and residual contact, respectively. The plant-based (Azamax^®) and synthetic (Ortus^®) acaricidal agents were more toxic than the products tested. Moreover, low concentrations of the products investigated herein had no effect on mite survival, but a significant effect was found on the quantity of eggs laid by females. The A. trilobata oil and artificial mixture are promising natural acaricidal agents that have more than one mode of action (fumigation and residual contact) and exert an effect on fecundity. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the cost–benefit ratio for use on organic crops and protected environments in northeastern Brazil.

Manuka oil was applied in combination with surfactants and other organic herbicides for a total of 10 different treatments. Three surfactants (Nu Film P, Agral 90, and yucca extract) and two essential oil based organic herbicides (clove–cinnamon oil and citrus oil) were tank-mixed with manuka oil. Herbicide treatments were analyzed against two checks (weedy and weed-free) in eight unique scenarios to determine what tank-mix options enhanced the preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) efficacy of manuka oil. The eight unique scenarios included two locations (Simcoe and Ridgetown, ON), two crops (sweet corn and tomatoes), and two planting dates (early and late). Crop yield and visual weed efficacy data indicated that manuka oil had very weak PRE herbicidal properties in field scenarios. Manuka oil based treatments caused minimal crop injury on recently transplanted tomatoes and newly emerging sweet corn seedlings. Manuka oil was able to provide good weed control when applied POST either alone or in tank-mixes. The efficacy of manuka oil increased when manuka oil was used as a tank-mix partner compared with manuka oil applied alone.

A study was conducted at six field sites near Exeter and Ridgetown, ON, over a 3 yr period (2014, 2015, and 2016) to determine the effect of ammonium thiosulphate (ATS), various fungicides (azoxystrobin/propiconazole, trifloxystrobin/prothioconazole, or pyraclostrobin/metconazole), and various herbicides (bromoxynil/MCPA, thifensulfuron/tribenuron + MCPA, pyrasulfotole/bromoxynil, or 2,4-D/dichlorprop) applied alone and in tank-mix combinations on winter wheat crop injury and grain yield. The treatments were applied using Hypro ULD120-02 flat-fan nozzles around Zadoks growth stage 30. The herbicides and fungicides caused <0.6% leaf injury when ATS was not added to the tank-mix. When averaged across fungicides in ATS tank-mixes, leaf injury 1 wk after treatment application was 3.5% to 3.7% with thifensulfuron/tribenuron and dichlorprop-P/2,4-D herbicides and 5.1% to 5.8% injury with bromoxynil/MCPA and thifensulfuron/tribenuron herbicides. On the three field sites with the highest leaf injury, a fungicide–ATS tank-mix increased injury to 4.5% averaged across fungicides and to 4.3% with a herbicide–ATS tank-mix averaged across herbicides. Three-way tank-mixes of herbicide–fungicide–ATS caused the highest injury (7.1%). Despite significant crop injury 1 WAA with some tank-mixes, there was no evidence that grain yields were adversely affected. This study shows that the co-application of a three-way tank-mix of ATS with fungicides (azoxystrobin/propiconazole, trifloxystrobin/prothioconazole, or pyraclostrobin/metconazole) and herbicides (bromoxynil/MCPA, thifensulfuron/tribenuron + MCPA, pyrasulfotole/bromoxynil, or dichlorprop-P/2,4-D) has the potential to cause considerable injury in winter wheat under some environmental conditions in Ontario, but the effect seems transient, with no grain yield reductions detected.

1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and a controlled atmosphere (CA; elevated CO₂ and low O₂ partial pressures) preserve the overall quality of ‘Cold Snap^™’ pears during low temperature storage, including minimizing physiological disorders. In two separate years, we determined the impact of 1-MCP (0 or 300 nL L^-1), pre-storage conditioning (0, 3, or 7 d at 3 °C), and CA (18 or 2.5 kPa O₂, and 2 kPa CO₂) on the shelf-life quality of ‘Cold Snap^™’ pears following their removal from storage at 0 °C. In both years, 1-MCP effectively reduced rates of ethylene production and limited peel yellowing and fruit softening following the transfer of stored ‘Cold Snap^™’ pears to ambient conditions for up to 14 d, regardless of pre-storage conditioning and CA regimen. Moreover, 1-MCP-treated fruit stored under 2.5 kPa O₂/2 kPa CO₂ developed lower incidences of senescent scald, regardless of the pre-storage conditioning period. In year one, this treatment combination also limited internal breakdown and internal cavity development, whereas the incidence of internal cavities was highest in 1-MCP-treated fruit in year two, regardless of pre-storage conditioning period, O₂ partial pressure in the storage atmosphere, and shelf-life duration. Principal component analysis revealed that the occurrence of senescent scald and internal breakdown in ‘Cold Snap^™’ pears were associated with high rates of ethylene production, peel yellowing, and softening. Similarly, internal cavity development was correlated with most ripening attributes, although the link with fruit softening was inconsistent across both years of the study.

Intermediate wheatgrass yielded 519 and 446 kg seed ha^-1 in years one and two after establishment. Autumn grazing increased seed yield compared with post-harvest residue removal or chopping. Inter-seeding legumes (alfalfa (Medicago sativa), sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), and white clover (Trifolium repens) did not affect intermediate wheatgrass seed production.

The hybrid knotweed Reynoutria × bohemica Chrtek & Chrtková exhibits greater genetic variation than its parents. We developed methodology for and tested for glyphosate resistance in two Bohemian knotweed populations using rhizome fragments. There was no difference in LD₅₀ (p = 0.3030; F = 1.067) between the populations and no evidence of resistance.

Ontario agricultural service providers were surveyed on their use of precision agricultural technologies. Global positioning systems are the most commonly adopted, while adoption rates for variable rate systems are significantly less. Enhancing adoption requires turning the vast amount of data collected on crop production into valuable decisions for the farmer.

OAC Bruton is an indeterminate large-seeded food-grade soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar with high yield potential, high seed protein concentration, and resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN). OAC Bruton is developed and recommended for soybean growing areas in southwestern Ontario with 2950 or greater crop heat units. OAC Bruton is classified as a maturity group 1 (MG1) cultivar with a relative maturity of 1.8.

OAC Ramsay is an indeterminate large-seeded food-grade soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar with high yield potential, high seed protein and oil concentrations, and resistance to soybean cyst nematode. OAC Ramsay is developed and recommended for soybean growing areas in southwestern Ontario with 3050 or greater crop heat units and has a relative maturity of 2.2 (MG 2.2).

AAC Icefield is the first hard white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar registered in western Canada. It was selected from a population of F₁-derived doubled-haploids of the cross McClintock/83W020007. Registration testing occurred from 2013 to 2017. These data, collected over 53 site–years, showed that AAC Icefield yielded significantly more grain than CDC Buteo, was similar in yield to Flourish, Moats, and CDC Falcon, and was significantly lower yielding than AAC Elevate and Sunrise. AAC Icefield expressed fair survival, intermediate maturity, short straw, and very good lodging resistance. Test weight and kernel weight were within the range of the checks. Ratings based on the prevalent disease races in western Canada were summarized as resistant to stem rust, moderately resistant to leaf and stripe rust, intermediate in resistance to Fusarium head blight, and susceptible to common bunt. The grain yield, agronomic characteristics, and disease resistance attributes of AAC Icefield provide good adaptation for all areas of western Canada. Despite lower grain protein concentration than Canada Western Red Winter wheat cultivars, AAC Icefield showed exceptional gluten strength per unit of protein. AAC Icefield is well-suited to a wide range of end-uses including white and whole-grain pan bread, French and flat breads, Asian steamed bread, and noodles. Currently designated in the Canada Western Experimental wheat class to facilitate test marketing, a decision on permanent class placement for AAC Icefield will be made by the Canadian Grain Commission following the assessment of market interest.

AAC Brown 120 is a double-haploid (DH) brown mustard (Brassica juncea) variety. It was produced using a microspore culture from F₁ hybrid plants resulting from a cross between the elite brown mustard DH line B474DH100 and the elite oriental mustard DH line O60DH151. AAC Brown 120 has significantly higher (12%) yield than the check variety Centennial Brown. It is resistant to white rust races 2a and 2v, whereas Centennial Brown is susceptible to races 2a and 2v. AAC Brown 120 is well adapted to all mustard-growing areas of western Canada.

Zealand hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed using a modified bulk breeding method at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB. Zealand is an apically awn-letted, hollow-stemmed cultivar with a combination of high yield potential, tall plant type, large leaves, and early maturity. In three years of testing in the Western Bread Wheat Cooperative Registration Test during 2013–2015, Zealand exhibited grain yield similar to Glenn and Carberry and 5%–6% lower than Unity and AAC Viewfield, though this difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Zealand yielded 37% greater than the highest-yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) check, CDC Osler, in A-level testing at a certified organic farm. Zealand matured 1–4 d earlier and was taller than all the check cultivars, but exhibited lodging resistance better than Unity and similar to the other checks. The test weight of Zealand (79.1 kg hL^-1) was lower than Glenn and similar to the other checks, while its seed mass was in the range of the check cultivars. Overall, Zealand was rated as resistant (R) to the prevalent races of leaf rust, moderately resistant (MR) to stripe rust and loose smut, intermediate (I) to stem rust and leaf spot, and moderately susceptible (MS) to common bunt and Fusarium head blight. Three years of end-use quality evaluation indicated that Zealand is acceptable for the CWRS class, with relatively few weaknesses. The tall plant type, large leaves, and early maturity render Zealand suitable for organic/high weed environments.

AAC Scotty (CFIA registration No. 8374) is a high-yielding cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar with a large seed size and resistance to races 73 and 105 of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Morden Research and Development Centre in Morden, MB. AAC Scotty is adapted to the dry bean producing regions of the Red River Valley with an average maturity of 97 d. AAC Scotty has acceptable cooking and canning quality.