Gibberella Ear Rot, DON and the Ontario Experience!
The development of effective management strategies against Gibberella ear rot (GER) and the production of mycotoxins is a high priority for the corn industry in Ontario. The unprecedented high level of deoxynivalenol (DON/vomitoxin) in the 2018 Ontario corn crop resulted in significant impact to the grain and livestock industry through production losses, crop insurance claims and prolonged market volatility. Several research studies were undertaken following Ontario’s 2018 corn DON epidemic to identify opportunities that could reduce the risk and impact of another major DON epidemic in Ontario. This presentation will discuss our experience as well as lessons learned since 2018 to mitigate GER/DON mycotoxin impact to the Ontario corn grower and sector.
Speaker
Albert Tenuta
Albert Tenuta graduated from the University of Toronto in Plant Pathology and since 1991 has been Field Crop Plant Pathologist with OMAFA based at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. In this position, Albert has provided leadership not only in Ontario but other provinces and the U.S. in coordinating and organizing field research tests, demonstrations, and development of practical disease management applications for the North American field crop industry including the Crop Protection Network, Corn and Soybean Disease Workers, the SCN Coalition and most recently the Tar Spot Working Group.
Albert’s contribution to extension, communication and applied research has been recognized in not only Ontario but internationally. He was the youngest recipient of the Ontario Agricultural College’s T.R Hillard Distinguished Extension Award”; he was the first recipient of the Canadian Phytopathological Society –“Achievements in Plant Disease Management (Extension) Award”, the only Canadian to have been awarded with the American Phytopathological Society’s North Central Division’s highest honor, “The Distinguished Service Award” for his extension and field research efforts as well as many other individual and collaborative awards over his 33 years with OMAFA.