By Jamie Martin
Bayer Crop Science has achieved a significant breakthrough in tar spot management through the development of an artificial inoculation method.
This method allows researchers to create field conditions conducive to tar spot, enabling deeper insights into disease management strategies and genetic responses.
The artificial inoculation method, announced in a recent news release, marks a pivotal step forward in understanding and combatting tar spot, a disease known to severely impact corn yields.
By replicating field conditions for tar spot and artificially introducing the pathogen, Bayer researchers can now study environmental and genetic responses with greater precision.
According to Christian Heredia, Bayer Crop Science market development manager, this advancement offers opportunities to identify and promote new corn hybrids with enhanced tar spot tolerance.
By integrating native tar spot tolerance from Bayer's extensive corn germplasm library, researchers aim to revolutionize disease management practices for North American farmers.
The field inoculation method is particularly noteworthy as it complements previous research conducted in controlled environments such as greenhouses.
Now, researchers can observe how plants respond to tar spot under realistic field conditions, providing valuable insights into disease dynamics and plant resilience.
Jim Donnelly, DEKALB® technical agronomist, emphasizes the significance of field testing for studying tar spot and enhancing disease management strategies.
Through field inoculation, researchers can effectively monitor and analyze the impact of tar spot on corn crops, informing future breeding and crop protection efforts.
Bayer's commitment to innovation extends beyond tar spot management, with ongoing investments in genetic research and precision breeding technologies.
As part of the company's robust research and development pipeline, advancements in disease tolerance and crop protection will continue to shape the future of agriculture.
Photo Credit: bayer-crop-science-canada
Categories: National