| Institution: | 1. University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada N0P 2C0;2. Morden Research Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, MB, Canada R6M 1Y5;3. BASF Canada, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5R 4H1;1. Department of Chemistry, Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA 15940, USA;2. Department of Chemistry, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC, Canada V2Y 1Y1;3. Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6;4. Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA;1. School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;2. The UWA Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia |
| Abstract: | Common bacterial blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli) is a seed-borne disease that is difficult to control in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Laboratory and field studies were conducted over a two-year period to determine the effect of microwave radiation on navy (cv. Navigator and Envoy) and pinto (cv. AC Ole) bean. Laboratory tests resulted in a 12 to 25% decrease in germination following 50–60 s of radiation, while less than a 10% loss was observed between 0 and 40 s. Pathogen viability was also tested, however the incidence of pathogen infection was low and no correlation was observed between exposure time and the incidence of colonization. In field studies conducted at Morden, MB (2012) and Ridgetown and Exeter, ON (2012–2013) microwave radiation and two chemical seed treatments (copper hydroxide 53.8% and pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad + metalaxyl) were evaluated for their effect on emergence, disease infection, seed pick, yield and return on investment. The application of microwave treatment decreased emergence by up to 7%, but did not impact the other parameters measured. Chemical treatment alone or in combination with microwave treatment also did not affect emergence, disease incidence, yield, seed pick, or return on investment. |
