Earlier today, CANTERRA SEEDS officially launched CS2000, a new clubroot resistant hybrid. While there are a number of clubroot resistant hybrids currently on the market, CS2000 offers something completely new for growers.

Clubroot was first found in central Alberta more than a decade ago. The spread of the soil-borne disease has been prolific, and was reported in more than 1,800 fields in 36 counties since it was first discovered. Management practices include knocking soil off vehicles leaving fields, cleaning equipment, planting resistant varieties and extending canola rotations in clubroot areas. Despite these efforts, the spread of the disease seems to be continuing, as it was confirmed in four new Alberta municipalities last year. Isolated incidents of clubroot have also been found in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and North Dakota.

The clubroot resistant trait has been available in canola varieties since 2009, and has quickly become one of the most important clubroot management tools used by farmers. However, in 2013, a new virulent strain of clubroot was found in a field north of Edmonton. The new 5x pathotype is causing concern, as work by Dr. Stephen Strelkov from the University of Alberta identified that all western Canadian varieties are susceptible to the new strain of the disease.

But that is all about to change.

CS2000, which will be available to growers this spring, will have the most comprehensive clubroot resistance package on the market. In replicated greenhouse trials, Strelkov confirmed that CS2000 has resistance to the pathotypes 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8. In addition, CS2000 exhibited an intermediate reaction to a new strain of the pathogen that has the ability to overcome currently used sources of resistance (pathotype 5x, identified in central Alberta). Strelkov also added that he has not seen this level of resistance in any other canola varieties, and is encouraged by this result.

CS2000 will be the first canola on the market to offer any level of resistance to 5x, and could prove an important management tool for growers. The variety also has excellent yields, standability and agronomic characteristics.