1. Biotechnology: Insecticide seed treatments
1.1. Examples of insecticides include: HELIX XTra, Gaucho Platinum. Examples of Foliar sprays include: Ripcord, Matador
1.2. Insecticide seed treatment helps to control aphid vectors during vulnerable seedling growth stages.
2. Biotic Stressors (Damage caused by other living organisms)
2.1. Fungus Damage
2.1.1. Stem Rot Disease
2.1.1.1. caused by the fungus: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
2.1.1.2. life cycle: airborne spores grow in organic matter and hyphae grow to penetrate the host plant
2.1.1.3. attacks: stem and leaf axils
2.1.1.4. negative effects on host: leads to smaller seeds, fewer seeds, shattered pods
2.1.2. Blackleg Disease
2.1.2.1. caused by the fungus: Leptosphaeria maculans
2.1.2.2. life cycle: airborne spores result in lesions on the plant and infect host
2.1.2.3. attacks: cotyledon, stem, leaves, pod
2.1.2.4. negative effects on host: leads to pre-mature seed ripening, lodging, and yield losses
2.2. Insect Damage
2.2.1. Cabbage seedpod weevil
2.2.1.1. symptoms: shattered seeds, infested pods
2.2.1.2. results in: reduced seed weight, reduced seed yield, reduced seed germination
2.2.1.3. larvae feed on the seeds/pod
2.2.2. Striped Flea Beetle
2.2.2.1. symptoms: pitting appearance on surface of leaves
2.2.2.2. results in: reduced plant density, reduced plant growth, uneven plant development
2.2.2.3. larvae feed on the host plant leaves
2.3. Virus Damage
2.3.1. Beet western yellows virus
2.3.1.1. symptoms: stunted plant growth, change of colour in leaves (purple or red)
2.3.1.2. mode of transmission: indirect; aphids are organisms that act as a vector for the virus; virus is persistently carried in the aphid's body
2.3.2. Cauliflower mosaic virus
2.3.2.1. symptoms: stunted plant growth, yellow ring spots on leaves, mottling on leaves
2.3.2.2. mode of transmission: indirect; virus is non-persistent in many aphid species
3. Biotechnology: Insecticide seed treatments
4. Biotechnology: Fungicide treatment
4.1. Examples of fungicides include: Proline, Serenade MAX, Vinclozolin
5. Biotechnology: correct farming techniques when seeding crop; seeds that tolerate growing conditions
6. Abiotic Stressors (Damage caused by non-living factors)
6.1. Envrionment Temperature
6.1.1. Low Temperature
6.1.1.1. highly sensitive to cold soil
6.1.1.2. frost causes plants to stop metabolizing
6.1.1.3. temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius result in slow, uneven, and poor germination and shoot emergence
6.1.2. High Temperature
6.1.2.1. hot, dry conditions result in slow and uneven germination
6.2. Soil conditions
6.2.1. High moisture (excess water)
6.2.1.1. crop is susceptible to water logging; oxygen deficiency; reduced root respiration and growth; reduced nutrient uptake; leaching of nitrogen and sulphur
6.2.1.2. clay soils have higher moisture storage capacity
6.2.2. Low moisture (drought)
6.2.2.1. may result in abnormal seedlings; thin stems; stunted and wilted plants; pod and flower abortion
6.2.2.2. sandy loam soils have lower moisture storage capacity