Winter decline syndrome is a condition of canola and mustard plants that have been stressed and/or injured by low temperatures, poor water drainage, or soil heaving from frosts. This physical injury provides infection courts for numerous pathogens such as Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, and Xanthomonas spp. among others.
Symptoms of winter decline syndrome include deteriorated taproots and crowns. Plants often die prematurely before or during bolting, or lodge during bolting because their crowns are weakened. Stand reductions of 90% have been noted.
No biological control strategies have been developed for winter decline syndrome.
Plant adapted varieties with adequate cold tolerance.
No management strategies have been suggested for winter decline syndrome.
Categories: Canola and Mustard, Disease, Winter Decline Syndrome
Date: 12/31/2004