Characterization of Blackleg Race Structure and Development of Mapping Populations from Elite Canola Breeding Lines Adapted to North Dakota
Luis del Rio, North Dakota State University - $20,150

Blackleg, caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, can significantly reduce canola yields. The introduction of cultivars with improved genetic resistance reduced its incidence from 27% in 1991 to less than 7% in 2002; however, since that time, blackleg incidence has been on the rise, and in 2005 average incidence was estimated at 13.3%. The discovery of new, more aggressive strains of the pathogen in North Dakota fields in the past two years only compounds the threat this disease represents for the canola industry in North Dakota.

There are plans to build new biodiesel plants in North Dakota The new plants, which will use mainly canola oil, will consume the production of >300,000 acres. In order to satisfy the demand of these new plants, growers will have to plant canola more frequently and/or take acreage from other crops. Shortening crop rotations to increase canola acreage will certainly result in higher blackleg incidence. Since more than 90% of the total acreage planted to canola in the US is located in North Dakota, it is imperative the the research conducted to establish base lines on the race structure of this pathogen, and the evaluation of ampping populations will be conducted in this region. The identification of the race structure of blackleg populations in North Dakota will help breeding programs to better select their breeding lines and to identify testing sites for their new materials.

Objectives:
1. Characterize the race structure of the blackleg pathogen in North Dakota.
2. Characterize the genetics of blackleg resistance present in elite breeding materials with adaptation to North Dakota.