Crop rotation – Plant pathogens may survive in soil or on crop residues, as well as in living vectors such as annual plants, seeds and insects. Growing a variety of crops in the rotation allows time for pathogens that survive on crop residues and in soil to break down, which reduces the risk to subsequent susceptible crops. Although crop residues from pulses break down quicker than canola and mustard, both tend to persist and support pathogens longer than cereal crop residues. Therefore, in general, broadleaf crops require longer rotations to reduce the risk of disease.
Seed treatments – There are several seed treatments available to control seed rot, damping-off, seedling blight, and early season root rot caused by Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and Alternaria spp. However, currently all products registered are available to commercial seed treaters only.
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