For wheat producers in the western Prairie, this year's high moisture can be a boon for production. But at the same time, it raises a challenge they typically don't have to worry too much about - disease pressure.

Fortunately for wheat producers, the challenge of managing grain diseases in the western Prairie is one researchers have been dealing with for a long time using conventional plant breeding. Over the past 10 years, the effort to improve disease resistance in western Prairie wheat varieties has received strong funding support from farmers through the Wheat Check-off Fund, administered by Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF).

As a result of the long-term effort, many of the wheat varieties farmers grow already have good genetic resistance to common disease concerns, and the overall resistance package in new varieties is improving every year.

"At times, genetic disease resistance doesn't get a lot of attention in the western Prairie, but it's definitely there, it's improving and it's helping producers farm more successfully," says Dr. Kelly Turkington, a pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Lacombe. "I suppose in a way it's a good sign that there isn't a lot of attention, because it shows the resistance out there is working for many diseases. Wet years like this one are a good check on the progress we've made and the priorities for further improvements in new varieties."

However, researchers also need to be vigilant and continually assess the effectiveness of genetic disease resistance, he says. "This is important as many plant pathogens can potentially adapt and overcome the resistance that has been incorporated into our cereal varieties. Genetic resistance is an important strategy, but it should be used as part of an overall integrated approach to disease management and crop production."

The top priority for wheat disease resistance in the western Prairie is Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), says Dr. Ron Knox, a pathologist at AAFC in Swift Current.

In the eastern Prairies, FHB has been the most frustrating and costly wheat disease in decades. Though it hasn't become a major problem in the western Prairie, FHB nonetheless has become the most talked about concern for farmers and researchers in this part of the region.

"Farmers here are aware that FHB is increasing in prevalence and there's perhaps even some fear of the disease," says Knox. "They want to do things that will prevent it from becoming more established."

Researchers are responding to this concern by striving to ensure all varieties released five to 10 years from now have at least some level of resistance. "From a breeding perspective, we're trying to get a base level of resistance, even in wheats that are targeted for the western Prairie," says Knox. "We feel we may not need as high a level of resistance here as they do for the eastern Prairie, but we do want a base level."

For farmers, the genetic tools available are becoming more powerful with each new generation of wheat varieties. Breeding programs have strengthened and introduced new sources of resistance to most of the key disease concerns, and are continually aiming to develop varieties with improved combinations of those sources.

Looking back, probably the greatest progress in genetic disease resistance for western Prairie production has been seen in stem rust and common bunt, says Knox. "We've been very successful at controlling those diseases through genetic resistance and we rarely see a problem."

Common bunt resistance is another standout example of progress. "Common bunt used to be a devastating disease in the first half of the last century. But since then has been controlled quite successfully through genetic resistance."

More information on the potential for genetic disease protection is available in the September edition of Western Grains Research Magazine, available on the WGRF Web site, www.westerngrains.com.