Each year, the Saskatchewan pulse and cereal commissions partner with commercial seed testing laboratories to complete an annual survey of seed-borne pathogens measured on seeds grown in Saskatchewan during the previous season. All labs that offer seed testing services to Saskatchewan growers are invited to participate in the annual survey with anonymous reporting of results amalgamated by crop district from all participating labs. Interim seed quality data, collected from the time of harvest to the end of December, are summarized and communicated to growers, agronomists, researchers, and industry during the winter months, ahead of the next crop season. These interim results provide insights into seed quality trends and identify potential hotspots for seed-borne pathogens across the province. A final summary of results, including data from seed samples analyzed after the interim results, is reported at the end of May. This final summary is submitted for publication in the Canadian Phytopathological Society Canadian Plant Disease Surveys. This publication of the provincial survey provides a record of seed-borne pathogen trends in pulse and cereal crops and allows for continued tracking of diseases over time. This document is intended to summarize the results to provide trends in the province and crop districts. These results should not be used in the absence of testing and extra caution should be used when interpreting results with very few samples. Sample size is indicated for each crop district on the maps. For the 2024 interim report, data from 2,013 harvested seed samples were submitted of which 760 were from pulses and 1,253 from cereals.
The provincial seed survey would not be possible without the participation of 20/20 Seed Labs Inc., Discovery Seed Labs, Prairie Diagnostic Seed Labs, and SGS Canada. Lendon Seed Labs also participates in the survey but shares final results only. Thank you to all lab partners for their continued effort and support of this project. Brian Olson, independent contractor, is also gratefully acknowledged for his coordination of the seed quality survey and summarization of results. A special thanks is also extended to Dr. Randy Kutcher and Dr. Sabine Banniza from the University of Saskatchewan for their external review and pathology expertise. External review efforts of Dr. Alireza Akhavan, Provincial Plant Disease Specialist and Dale Risula, Provincial Pulses, Forages, and Specialty Crops Specialist, of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (SMA) are also recognized with an extra note of appreciation to Dr. Alireza Akhavan and the SMA Geomatics team for creating the seed-borne pathogen maps by crop district.
Thank You to our 2024 Interim Results Lab Partners
20/20 Seed Labs Discovery Seed Labs
507 – 11 Avenue 450 Melville Street
Nisku, AB T9E 7N5 Saskatoon, SK S7J 4M2
Phone: 1-877-420-2099 Phone: 1-306-249-4484
SGS Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab
310 – 280 Portage Close 140 1st Street
Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2R6 Weyburn, SK S4H 0T2
Phone: 1-800-952-5407 1-306-842-7375
Per cent germination levels were documented during the 2024 provincial seed survey with interim results showing similar results to 2023, with wheat and oats slightly increasing and chickpeas decreasing. High numbers of seed lots harvested in 2021, particularly field pea, were reported to have below acceptable levels of germination and steady increases in germination of seed lots harvested from 2022 to 2024 have been seen. Mean germination of all crop types tested was 94.9%.
Although germination levels look quite favourable across all provincial crop districts and most crop types, testing of individual seed lots is still recommended prior to seeding in the spring of 2025.
Figure 1. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed Germination in Lentil. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (left)
Figure 2. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed Germination in Pea. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (middle)
Figure 3. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed Germination in Chickpea. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (right)
Figure 4. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed Germination in Barley. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (left)
Figure 5. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed Germination in Durum. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (middle)
Figure 6. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed Germination in Oats. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (right)
Figure 7. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed Germination in Wheat. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
The interim results of commercial plate tests for seed-borne pathogens of lentil, field pea, and chickpea samples reveal a relatively high number of pathogen-free seed samples from across the province with some exceptions from Ascochyta on pea and chickpea. Results to-date suggest similar mean infection levels to 2023 and a strong overall decrease in mean infection levels compared to results from 2022.
Distribution of submitted samples and crop districts reporting seed-borne pathogens varies across the province. Although the maps created by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture can help identify areas of lower risk of seed-borne disease, testing of individual seed lots is still recommended.
Figure 8. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed-Borne Anthracnose in Lentil. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (left)
Figure 9. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed-Borne Ascochyta in Field Pea. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (middle)
Figure 10. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Seed-Borne Ascochyta in Chickpea. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (right)
The interim results of commercial plate tests for seed-borne fusarium pathogens reveal low mean infection levels in barley, durum, oat, and wheat samples tested as of December 20, 2024, with mean infection levels similar to or slightly higher than 2023. The percentages of total Fusarium spp. and F. graminearum-free samples are similar to or slightly lower than results from 2023.
Despite the interim results of Fusarium-infected cereal seed lots being reported, seed quality does vary by crop district as detailed by maps created by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and it is recommended that seed lots should be tested on an individual basis.
Figure 11. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Total Seed-Borne Fusarium in Barley. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (left)
Figure 12. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Total Seed-Borne Fusarium in Durum. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (right)
Figure 13. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Total Seed-Borne Fusarium in Oat. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (left)
Figure 14. 2024 Interim Seed Test Result for Total Seed-Borne Fusarium in Wheat. Source: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (right)