Prairie soil moisture maps: June 26, 2023

Prairie soil moisture levels and need to scout for apothecia of the sclerotinia stem rot pathogen, June 26, 2023

 As June 26, 2023 most Prairie regions have well below normal soil moisture with large areas with <40 to 60% of normal levels (Figures 1-3).  However, some areas including the Edmonton region have 85-115% of normal soil moisture levels (Figure 1).  Based on satellite data from June 19-25, 2023, large areas of the Prairies are still dealing with dry conditions and would only have <5 to 20% surface soil moisture (VMC) (Figure 2).  However, some regions are seeing soil moisture levels increasing due to recent rains including the Edmonton region, and some smaller regions in the northern cropping areas in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Figure 2).  Corresponding, satellite images for June 19-25 show well below long term average soil moisture levels for large areas of the Prairies including regions where sclerotinia stem rot can occur (Figure 3). However, as a result of rainfall over the last few weeks, areas including the Edmonton region and south towards Red Deer are closer to normal or above normal.   

As of June 26, the need to scout fields for apothecia of the stem rot fungus and/or to assess in-field risk is low.  This is based primarily on soil moisture maps as canola crops have or will shortly start flowering (Figures 1-3).  However, recent rainfall over some Prairie regions will likely trigger the start and continuation of the sclerotial germination process, which can take up to three weeks.  Further rainfall and crop canopy closure may increase the risk of sclerotial germination and apothecia production.  Areas in the Edmonton region and south to Red Deer likely have soil moisture conditions conducive for sclerotial germination.  In these areas in-crop scouting for apothecia and the use of available stem rot risk assessment tools may be needed over the next 1-3 weeks as part of fungicide use decisions (https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/diseases/sclerotinia-stem-rot/#forecasting-and-risk-assessment). 

Background information on the soil moisture maps can be found at the following link: New for 2023: Prairie Soil Moisture Maps.

Recent questions from growers and consultants have focused on fungicide need and timing and challenges associated with variable crop development for summer 2023.  Given dry conditions, especially prior to mid-June, we may have delayed sclerotial germination that has been triggered by recent rains in some regions. Normally it takes about 3 weeks of wet soil conditions and moderate temperatures for germination and production of apothecia.  This period may be as short as 2 weeks if some moisture was received earlier in June, which may pre-condition sclerotia.  Delayed germination and apothecia development may mean that sclerotinia spore loads in the air are limited as the crop or portions of the crop come into bloom.  This may mean that an early bloom fungicide application may not represent the best target.  However, in crops with reasonable yield potential and where risk tools indicate increasing risk as flowering continues, later fungicide application at full bloom may be considered.  Tools such as the Spornado spore trap (https://2020seedlabs.ca/services/spornado/) and petal testing services (https://www.seedtesting.com/disease-testing-sclerotinia/; https://quantumgenetix.com/product/sclerotinia-white-mold/) can provide guidance related to the level of sclerotinia inoculum and stem rot risk as the crop starts flowering.  Note these need to be combined with other risk tools to provide a complete picture of stem rot risk in relation to host, pathogen and environment factors, i.e. the disease triangle.  If fungicides are being considered, accounting for the most common crop growth stage in a field should be considered to help guide the timing(s) used.  Fortunately, most fungicide products have a window from 20-50% bloom, which represents a range of growth stages.  Note available risk assessment tools will provide information related to stem rot risk and whether a fungicide is needed from 20-50% bloom.

Figure 1.  Percentage of normal soil moisture (drought model) as of June 26, 2023.  Courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Science and Technology Branch, AAFC Geomatics.  

Figure 2.  Percent saturated surface soil moisture from SMOS satellite data, June 19-25, 2023.  Courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Science and Technology Branch, AAFC Geomatics. 

Figure 3.  Difference from long term average, percent saturated surface soil moisture from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) data, June 19-25, 2023.  Courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Agroclimate Geomatics and Earth Observation Division.

Disclaimer

Information related to soil moisture is OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and their employees assume no liability from the use of this information.  Soil moisture conditions will vary depending on soil texture, and localized rainfall and temperature conditions.  Sclerotinia stem rot risk will vary depending on host, pathogen and weather factors, and farmers and consultants are encouraged to use currently available risk assessment tools (https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/diseases/sclerotinia-stem-rot/#forecasting-and-risk-assessment).  Mention of a particular product or service does not represent an endorsement by PCDMN or the organizations involved with the PCDMN.