b"We can now work on having multi species pheromone traps that we could put in the field. And then usually in these fields, you have multi-species, you don't have just one species in the field. So, it's good to have something like thisyou can just go out and put one trap instead of putting five different traps, Noronha explains in an interview.Noronha is now working hard to put together the final pieces to release a digital wireworm protection manual online. The manual will be a series of pre-recorded presentations growers can view focusing on various topics regarding wireworm management. She hopes to be able to release it in time for the 2024 growing season.Stopping PED in its TracksFive years ago, the Canadian potato industry could only imagine having a network of researchers across the country connected andPotato field infected with Potato Early Dying disease. working together to track and manage potato early dying (PED).PHOTO: KHALIL AL-MUGHRABIToday that is a reality with the Canadian PED Network, aka the CanPEDNet.I want (growers) to know their soil, know their potato early dying problem, know who's causing it, (including the) sampling of soil and determining what species of verticillium is there and what species of nematodes is there. Because depending on who's present, you may not have to deal with a problem, Mario Tenuta, NSERC/WGRF/Fertilizer Canada Industrial Research chair in 4R Nutrient Stewardship and a professor of applied soil ecology at the University of Manitoba and project lead, explains in a phone interview.Throughout the project, Tenuta and his team were able to learn what verticillium pathogens and nematode pests were present in different regions for PED, and they were able to develop a fast soil test for verticillium dahliae, which is now being used by Agricultural Certification Services in Fredericton, N.B.We hit the different objectives in terms of addressing themwe're pretty proud of that. And I think we have really good data and foundation to provide recommendations to growers on how to moveLate blight on a tomato fruit.PHOTO: RICK PETERS, AAFC CHARLOTTETOWNforward with reducing and managing potato early dying across Canada, Tenuta adds.Access to the data from CanPEDNet will be made availableThe pandemic held the project team back from being able to hold through Tenutas website soilecology.ca.field days every year, which reduced the opportunities for growers to view the new varieties. But over the five years of project, the project Evaluating Varieties for the Future led to having 24 licenses issued for new potato varieties for Canadian Access to new potato varieties is important for growers across thegrowers.country. The variety evaluation project determined the adaptability of promising new varieties or selections in different growingLeaving Late Blight in the Rear View conditions and locations across Canada. Varieties from AAFCsLate blight isnt just a disease that affects potatoes, but also tomatoes. National Potato Breeding Program and selections from privateThis is why it has been important for researchers working on the breeding programs, university breeding programs in the Uniteddisease to study it and make sure those growing tomatoes include States and Canada were included. home gardeners, who are aware of it.The goal is to get Canadian varieties out there that the industryThat connection with potatoes and tomatoes we found still to be is interested in. Having the field days makes sure we have thatimportant. Typically, (the) US23 (strain) tends to be more virulent contact and that we gain early feedback from the industry, Ericaon tomato than potato but certainly very virulent on potato tubers, Fava, biologist with AAFC, explains in a phone interview. (Grower)Rick Peters, research scientist at Charlottetown Research and feedback on our selections is really important to us, so that we canDevelopment Centre, says in a phone interview. Because of that, modify the way we do things to make sure that they're getting thewe've been really trying to encourage home gardeners to grow late varieties with the traits they want and that they need. blight resistant varieties.SPUDSMART.COMSummer 202329"