Management of bentgrass cultivars for improved resistance to Fusarium patch under climate change

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Management of bentgrass cultivars for improved resistance to Fusarium patch under climate change Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are expected to reach between 500 to1000 ppm by the end of the century and, as a consequence, Canada and other northern countries may experience a seasonal temperature increase between 1.5 and 4°C. These changes will affect the survival of turfgrasses and fungi as well as affecting their interactions, with a potential for greater disease severity. From among widely used bentgrass cultivars worldwide, or those with particular potential for cold environments, we plan to screen for ones which show the greatest resistance to Microdochium patch. We will study the turfgrass and fungal interactions under current and predicted future climatic conditions (CO2 and temperature increases). In addition, we will test the efficacy of resistance activators such as Civitas/Harmonizer which are sustainable alternatives to chemical fungicides, under altered climatic conditions in atmosphere-control growth chambers and in the field. The grass cultivars will first be tested in the lab, and a select few will be tested in the field in both Canada and Scandinavia. Cultivars that perform well in one or both locations will be further analyzed for their pathogen-associated and activator-induced molecular responses under current climatic and some predicted future climatic conditions to shed light on the genes and pathways that may be involved. The project will provide recommendations for turfgrass managers on the choice of cultivars and on improved management practices to face the challenges and opportunities of climate change. This research will also generate new scientific information of great interest for stakeholders represented by the Turf Research Association partner, CTRF, which includes turgrass seed companies and turfgrass managers, and of benefit to the other industry partner, PetroCanada, for commercial and R&D purposes.