Project code: PRR24-030
Project Lead
Tyler Wist – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Objective
To evaluate various control tactics and develop integrated management solutions for quinoa root aphids and, to facilitate grower adoption through outreach materials and activities.
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a specialty crop in Canada with the majority of production occurring in Saskatchewan. It is a commodity gaining popularity and increasing interest by growers, however, there is limited research on pests and pest control practices. At the 2023 Canadian Pest Management Priority Setting Workshop, root aphids (Pemphigus spp.) in quinoa were identified as a priority pest in need of integrated pest management (IPM) solutions. Root aphids feed on the roots of plants with their piercing and sucking mouthparts impacting the plants ability to uptake water and nutrients. The relationship between Pemphigus aphids and quinoa is poorly understood, but the pest is known to be widespread and yield loss potential is unknown. Only recently have researchers been able to identify this pest with DNA barcoding. The species naming is still pending.
To support quinoa growers with effective pest control options, this project will study the interaction of root aphids with the quinoa plant, and assess several management strategies currently used successfully to control sugar beet root aphids (a different species is present in quinoa, but same genus: Pemphigus) in sugar beet crops.
Field trials will be conducted in 2024 and 2025 at 2 or 3 locations in Saskatchewan to assess various approaches and combinations of IPM tactics to manage root aphids in quinoa. Cultural control practices, including weed management, tillage, and tolerant quinoa varieties will be used to provide knowledge on the impacts of root aphids to quinoa production and effectiveness of control tactics. Greenhouse experiments will be conducted to study the effect of varying water regimes to better understand the role of irrigation for root aphid suppression. This project will provide new knowledge on the impact of quinoa root aphids and the efficacy of using feasible management practices already adopted in sugar beets. Field days, factsheets, grower meetings, as well as media and scientific articles will facilitate outreach and knowledge sharing with the grower communities.