Yellow Aster Control Studied

REGINA - Jul 3/01 - STAT -- Controlling the chance of aster yellows occurring in organic herbs and spices requires growers to walk fields removing infected plants as well as using approved insecticides.

The problem is growing in Saskatchewan. The diseases is caused by a micro-organism spread by sap-sucking leafhoppers and has spread into Saskatchewan canola, herb and spice crops in recent years. In 1998, for example, it was primarily found in the south-west corner of the province but, by last year, it was causing problems for herb and spice growers in the Prince Albert area.

"Aster yellows can cause a serious problem with production of some herbs and spices. In the case of organic production, more research was needed to find a product that would have an impact on the leaf hopper that spreads aster yellows," says Connie Kehler, vice-president of the Saskatchewan Herb and Spice Association (SHSA).

To address this problem, the SHSA obtained support from the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund for a two-year project called "Aster Yellows Control for Organic Herbs and Spices". The project focused on organic ways of reducing the insect spreading the disease.

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