b'VIEWPOINTSThe Future of Disease Management in Western CanadaLab capacity, growing expertise and techniques for molecular tools, and tailoring variety choice and cropping decisions on the virulence spectrum in a field are all part of an exciting future in disease management. KELLY TURKINGTON is an Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaKT:We need to understand the life cycles of the pests were research scientist and plant pathologist based in Lacombe, Alta.,trying to managehow they survive, how and when they who brings more than 35 years of experience with cereal anddevelop, and their levels within a field or harvested grain. oilseed diseases and their management to the industry. FromFor example, if a pathogen is only present in small amounts, the importance of field-based knowledge and correct diseaseit will likely have a limited impact on yield, quality and net identification to spore trapping and molecular tests to tailorreturns, thus, in-crop fungicide may not be needed. Therefore, a farmers variety selection and in-crop disease managementunderstanding the issues youre trying to manage is key to program, Turkington discusses the issues and tools he seesidentifying the most suitable disease control strategies and if affecting the future of disease management. they are needed. We cant underestimate the importance of foundational knowledge regarding the crop we are growing ASG: What do you consider one of the most importantand any potential disease issues.aspects influencing disease management in theWe get focused on the latest, greatest and newest future in Western Canada? technologies, but we also need to remember were dealing with KT:It will be critical to maintain a level of field-baseda biological system. You need to have an understanding of the knowledge with respect to disease management, whichcrops biology and the pest species or disease attacking that involves correct disease identification. Although advances incrop. All farmers may not need that if they are working with an technology will play an important role in the future, itll be crucialexperienced and knowledgeable crop advisor or consultant. for those people entering the industry to still have a goodThe message is, dont underestimate the need for good field educational background and/or field expertise. Educationalsense, the importance of expertise, and an understanding of resources, field-based research and technology transfer, andthe basics. on-one-on mentoring will be critical to develop and maintain this capacity. ASG: Do you see challenges ahead with respect to an As we see advances in technologywhether relatedunderstanding of the basics?to molecular biology and phenomics, including alternativeKT: It relates to what appears to be a generational shift. At strategies for assessing disease, like satellite or drone-basedsome of the recent farmer meetings Ive attended, there are imagerywe need to make sure what were identifying basedmore young women and men. Their levels of understanding on these new technologies is actually verified in the field inand field-based expertise may not be the same as some of the terms of a particular disease issue.older generations of farmers. When it comes to understanding crop production, such as soil fertility, agronomics and pest ASG: Is there anything else industry stakeholders,management, we cant lose focus of the importance of including farmers, can do to improve diseaseacquiring knowledge, whether thats through formal education, management? technology transfer or mentoring on-farm. We need a certain 36seed.ab.ca'