Fungicide resistance: Learning from other countries

For decades, Canadian farmers have heard about the threat of herbicide resistance, and in some cases have adapted their farm practices to manage it first-hand. We hear far less about fungicide resistance.

Fungicide resistance has been found in other parts of the world, especially in Northern Europe. In Europe, the most important cereal diseases are Septoria tritici blotch (Septoria) of wheat, rusts and powdery mildew. Septoria has developed widespread resistance cases to the strobilurin fungicides, resulting in a significant shift to the triazoles.

Despite the development of resistance, representatives from the European Crop Protection Association state that “fungicides form an important factor in the production of cereals, in particular for the control of foliar diseases including powdery mildew, Septoria, rusts, Rhynchosporium and net blotch.”

Fungicide use has picked up momentum in the past several years in Canada and has become a very important tool for disease management, increasing yields and creating a more efficient agriculture system. Similar to other regions, the Canadian agriculture landscape could one day face fungicide resistance cases. In the United States, over 10 wheat genes have been found with resistance to Septoria.

According to Ian Affleck, Managing Director, Science and Regulatory Affairs, Plant Biotechnology at CropLife Canada, “The development of resistance is part of nature and is not limited to agriculture. Over time, living organisms can develop resistance to external pressures; in the case of agriculture, pest control. Rotating pest control products and methods is key in managing the development of resistance. That rotation doesn’t give the pest, in this case fungus, time to develop resistance.”

Affleck pointed out that we have experience with resistance from the weed management side of agriculture. “The development of resistance is certainly manageable, so we want to help educate people in the proper practices which will help avoid it,” added Affleck.

According to Piero Castro, Cereal Fungicide Brand Manager at BASF Canada, fungicides have become an integral tool to crop protection in Canada. “Fungicides have become a valuable tool to manage yield-robbing diseases and improve overall plant health. We’ve seen resistance in Canada and other parts of the world. By being mindful of resistance, incorporating chemistry and host crop rotation, and using fungicides with multiple modes of action, we can help prolong these valuable crop protection tools.”

By learning from other parts of the world, incorporating best management practices and planning, we can help to prolong the effectiveness of fungicides in crop protection.

Source: BASF Canada