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Aster yellows is a phytoplasma infection that causes misshapen pods and flower buds. Most fields in most years have less than 1% infection, which is not an economic level of loss…
Aster yellows
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Misshapen sack-shaped pods are often the result of aster yellows… -
Aster leafhopper numbers are quite low so far this year, down considerably from 2012. Aster leafhoppers carry aster yellows phytoplasma, so without leafhoppers to transfer the disease, there is no infection. Based on what we know at this stage, there is no evidence of a significant aster yellows risk for 2013…
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Delayed arrival of southerly winds in 2013, together with the colder start to the growing season, may lessen the risks associated with aster leafhoppers, the insect (shown) that carries aster yellows phytoplasma. However, given that we're still learning about this disease, it will be difficult to predict disease levels at this stage of the season… -
Sclerotinia and blackleg remain the top two most important canola diseases, but aster yellows are a hot topic after a bad year in 2012. The Canola Council of Canada agronomy team came up with the following 10 questions about aster yellows. Chrystel Olivier, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon, answered them the best she could given what… -
Late or mild infections of aster yellows could lead to poor seed set in normal-looking pods. Stress from aster yellows can also sometimes lead to purpling or may aggravate sunscald… -
Fields all across the Prairies are reporting aster yellows. The phytoplasma infection causes misshapen pods and flower buds. Most fields don’t go above 1% infected plants, however, some fields are reported this year with rates at 5% to 8% of plants infected. A 10% infection rate results in 3% to 7% misshapen seeds or no seeds at all…
