The stem and bulb nematode is a quarentinable crop pest. Infested seeds are means of long distance dissemination. Pea exports were $600M in 2007 with SK, AB and MB accounting for most of the exports. India is the major pea importer but has strict quarantine restrictions as D. dipsaci occurs in shipments. In 2009, a 2-yr project investigating the occurrence of D. dipsaci in field pea harvest samples was initiated by Dr. Tenuta (U of M) supported by SPG, APG & ACIDF. Nematode incidence was related to the presence of weed seeds specifically, Canada Thistle. A survey of four MB pea fields in 2010 revealed infestation of the pest in Canada Thistle flower heads. The proposed project will focus to confirm that the weed is the source of contamination while peas and crops in rotation are not. Results will help in alleviating market access issues and reduce associated cost considering that if peas and other crops are not hosts, risks of transfer to crops in export markets are limited. If a certain weed species are the primary hosts, these can be targeted for control. Race identification of D. dipsaci will provide confidence that the nematodes in shipments are not problematic for crops.
