Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
March 1, 2002

Canola varieties that are less appetizing to flea beetles are the target of a study at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Saskatoon Research Centre.

Dr. Margaret Gruber and her team are developing canola germplasm – hereditary plant material – that will boost the amount of tiny plant hairs, called “trichomes,” on the leaves and stems of canola. They are also working on material that will increase levels of the compound anthocyanin in canola leaves. Both trichomes and anthocyanin are known to deter flea beetle feeding.

“Our objective is to develop canola germplasm with deterrence to flea beetle feeding, as a means to reduce crop input costs and provide consistent protection against these insect pests without the need for pesticide application,” says Gruber. This germplasm will be made available to plant breeders for variety development.

This study is supported by the Endowment Fund, administered by Western Grains Research Foundation. This support began in 1999 and was recently extended from 2002-04.

There are no canola varieties available with good deterrence to flea beetles, says Gruber, and deregulation is restricting two of the major chemical control options, leaving growers vulnerable to infestations. Canola varieties with a built-in flea beetle defense can save farmers millions annually by providing an effective and cost-efficient alternative.

“Approximately $150 million in damage occurs annually to the Canadian canola crop from flea beetles, despite $40 million spent annually on chemical control of these pests,” says Gruber. “You can imagine the boost a canola with deterrence to flea beetles would give to bottom lines.”

Some canola germplasm with improved resistance to flea beetles is under development, but has proven less durable than expected, she says. Canola germplasm with deterence to flea beetle feeding will provide durable resistance that could be easily combined with other sources.

By helping canola growers overcome a major production barrier, this study could lead to an expansion of Prairie canola acreage and provide the industry with a greater share of national and international oilseed and oil crush markets, says Gruber.

Lines with flea beetle deterence will also be tested for other canola insects, including the diamondback moth, bertha armyworm and the lygus bug.

Western Grains Research Foundation’s Endowment Fund has contributed over $17 million to nearly 200 crop research projects in Western Canada since its inception in 1983.