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Tag Archives fungus

Two soybean varieties with varying levels of white mould tolerance. The less tolerant variety (right), is completely ruined by white mould. Image taken in Eastern Ontario in early September.
Crops

White mould troubling for some regions

Mixed impact on soybean crop, but greater damage on dry beans

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Wet and warm summer weather brings two things to southwestern Ontario: mosquitoes and disease pressure. Both were abundant during an early September Pioneer soybean plot tour in Essex County. For Emma Epp, certified crop advisor, co-owner of Epp Ag Solutions near Leamington, and host of the plot tour, the main enemy in 2023 has been […] Read more
Cabbage white caterpillar eating an oilseed rape plant.
Crops

Fungal-plant symbiosis a promising tool to boost crop resilience

Fungi deployed against pests also produce positive response from plant

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A study led by researchers from the University of Turku in Finland has shown that a species of fungus that normally grows in the wild and kills insects can be successfully inoculated in oilseed rape plants where it fosters a unique symbiotic relationship. The discovery is a step toward harnessing the power of beneficial fungi […] Read more
The Spornado, shown here in a potato field, uses specialized filters to trap fungal spores from water and air. The filters are then analyzed for the presence of fungal pathogen spores, allowing for early detection and management.
Crops, News

Canadian early alert system expands services for fungal crop diseases

Spornado can detect fungal spores in many crops and help growers make targeted spraying decisions

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Last year, a made-in-Canada system to alert farmers to the presence of airborne crop pathogens was showcased as one of Canada’s top 101 Most Innovative Predictive Analytical Companies.  The Spornado is a simple and low cost in-field tool that passively traps air- and waterborne spores on specialized filters. Those filters are then analyzed for the […] Read more
A research study shows that it is possible fungi have their own electrical language to share specific information resources nearby, such as potential dangers, between themselves or even with more distantly connected partners.
News

Do mushrooms really use language?

New research shows some fungi species may communicate via electrical impulses

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Nearly all of Earth’s organisms communicate with each other in one way or another, from the nods and dances and squeaks and bellows of animals, through to the invisible chemical signals emitted by plant leaves and roots.  But what about fungi? Are mushrooms as inanimate as they seem – or is something more exciting going on […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

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