 |
 |
|
|
| Wednesday, January 03, 2007 |
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Frequently Asked Questions - Field Scouting Tips for Ascochyta Blight of Chickpea
Why should I check my chickpea crop for Ascochyta Blight? To get an answer to your own question, click here
Why should I check my chickpea crop for Ascochyta Blight? You should check your chickpea crop for disease so that you are aware of Ascochyta Blight disease risk early in the growing season. Ascochyta can quickly destroy chickpea crops under prolonged moist conditions. By accurately assessing the health of your field, you may be able to prevent the spread of this disease by taking early action using fungicides. When should I start checking my fields for the disease? Chickpea seedlings are vulnerable to infection at a very early age. It is recommended that you begin checking your fields soon after the crop emerges. Weather conditions, field history, area history, seed quality and variety all are important in determining the probability of having an infection. How long should I continue checking? Ascochyta can infect plant tissue during all growth stages of a chickpea plant. It is possible that the disease will infect pods, and consequently reduce yield and quality of the crop. Continue to monitor fields until plants begin losing their green colour and vegetative tissue begins to dry. Fungicide applications after the first week of August are usually not necessary Where should I start checking for Ascochyta Blight? Begin checking fields, or parts of fields, that are likely to have greater risk of infection. Places where you are most likely to have problems include fields that have had a short rotation that included chickpea; fields containing chickpea varieties rated as having “very poor” resistance; fields grown in regions where Ascochyta Blight is common; fields with heavier textured soils; fields where trash cover is highly preserved; and areas of high precipitation and cooler growing seasons.
What does Ascochyta Blight look like? See the diagrams below for disease symptoms at various stages.
How many sites should I check in one field? It is not feasible to thoroughly sample fields that are very large or that are not easily accessed. It is recommended that producers monitor a minimum of five sites in a field less than 100 acres, and 10 sites in a field greater than 100 acres. Walk the field in an “M” (or zigzag) or teardrop-shaped pattern, stopping at specific sites to study plants. Look closely at leaves, and use a magnifying glass to search for early symptoms. Use flags or other markers to mark specific sites to allow you to monitor for disease advancement up the plant canopy, and to assess the effectiveness of your fungicide applications. What other precautions do I need to follow while field scouting? It is very important that you keep the field as sanitary as possible. Before entering fields, put on clean footwear and do not transfer disease organisms from one field to another. This problem becomes worse following a rain or when dew is still present. Ensure that these same guidelines apply to all other persons entering the field. Where can I get more information or help? Chickpea in Saskatchewan production/chickpea2002.asp Ascochyta Blight of Chickpea Production/ascochytaonChickpeas.asp Management of Ascochyta Blight of Chickpea in Saskatchewan -
| ||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
