Category: Resource

Pathogen Profile: Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians

Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians Introduction Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians is a  bacterial pathogen responsible for bacterial leaf spot in lettuce and other leafy vegetables; this pathogen poses a significant challenge to growers worldwide [1]. Bacterial leaf spot can lead to substantial crop yield losses and severe economic consequences. Historically, outbreaks can cause up to 100% […]
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Pathogen Profile: Clarireedia spp.

Clarireedia spp. What is Clarireedia spp.? Our guest writer Jessica O’Hanlon, from Earth Microbial, is very familiar with the fungus Clarireedia spp. With golf season approaching for the northern areas, and at the request of our readers, we invited her to write this blog about this grass pathogen. It causes a common turfgrass disease known […]
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Lettuce drop due to Sclerotinia minor.

Pathogen Profile: Sclerotinia minor

Sclerotinia minor What is Sclerotinia minor? Sclerotinia minor is a fungal pathogen affecting a wide variety of plants, most notably soybean, lettuce, canola, peanuts, and sunflowers [1–3]. Sclerotinia species, such as  Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotinia trifoliorum, are responsible for Sclerotinia rots or white moulds, which are of concern to farmers [4]. The infection causes massive […]
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Symptoms of Bacterial spot on a bell pepper fruit.

Pathogen Profile: Xanthomonas euvesicatoria

Xanthomonas euvesicatoria What is Xanthomonas euvesicatoria? Xanthomonas euvesicatoria is a bacterium that causes bacterial spot disease in plants of tomatoes and peppers [1,2]. It is aerobic and has a long tail (flagellum), allowing it to move in water. Please refer to Figure 1 where the flagellum can be seen on the bottom right side of […]
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tomato bacteria Pseudomonas syringae

Pathogen Profile: Pseudomonas syringae

Pseudomonas syringae What is Pseudomonas syringae? The bacteria Pseudomonas syringae is a common plant pathogen mostly found in stems and leaves [1]. It infects a wide range of plants—including fruit trees, greenhouse vegetables, ornamentals, and field crops. Annually, the bacteria cause billions of dollars of damage worldwide from lost fruits, damaged trees, unmarketable ornamentals, and […]
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ontario greenbelt at risk

Cutting the Greenbelt puts Ontarians’ food security at risk

Cutting the Greenbelt puts Ontarians’ food security at risk This past weekend, grassroots organizations and residents of all ages across Southern Ontario bundled into their coats and tuques to rally and raise signs saying “Save the Greenbelt” and “Keep the Green” while chanting “Hands off the Greenbelt!”. A palpable sense of frustration for the need […]
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Hydroponic strawberries being grown in a greenhouse in Canada

The Rise of Hydroponic Strawberries

The Rise of Hydroponic Strawberries With an increased prevalence of pathogens in various crops and a development in hydroponic technology, it seems that hydroponic strawberries have become a popular crop among growers. There are many benefits to both growers and Canadian consumers regarding hydroponic strawberries. We will look at some of these benefits and what […]
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rhizoctonia tomato stem

Pathogen Profile: Rhizoctonia solani

Rhizoctonia solani What is Rhizoctonia solani? The fungus Rhizoctonia solani is a soilborne pathogen that spreads in wet and warm conditions. It infects many economically vital plants—including greenhouse vegetables, ornamentals, and field crops [1, 2]. Crops affected by this pathogen include peppers, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, soybeans, wheat, lilies and turf grass. In fact, it […]
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field vs vertical lettuce

Hydroponic vs. Soil Cultivation

Written by: Becky Anderson Published by: David Santos Hydroponic vs. Soil Cultivation Hydroponic farming mitigates many issues and stressors that traditional farmers face. These issues can include reliance on the weather, soil erosion, poor drainage, and unsuitable soil compaction or nutrient density. Hydroponic farming allows for less usage of water than irrigation systems. Hydroponics not only recycle […]
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Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus lettuce

Pathogen Profile: Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus An emerging threat to greenhouse vegetables Impatiens necrotic spot virus first emerged in floriculture and nursery crops [1] and is now affecting and causing considerable losses to these greenhouse-grown vegetable crops such as cucumber, tomato, pepper, and lettuce [2]. An economic analysis done on two lettuce growers in the Salinas Valley […]
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