The next sclerotinia risk forecast, is scheduled for release Thursday, June 23rd 2005. Check the website for regular updates if this is a concern of yours. Maps and interpretations can be accessed at:

http://www.northerncanola.com/maps/index.asp
or
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/sclerotinia/sclerotinia.htm  

To further assess disease risk, refer to the Sclerotinia checklist at:

http://www.whitemoldresearch.com/HTML/canola.cfm  

In assessing the risk for individual fields in addition to the weather conditions the following points should be considered:

• Crop rotation. Other crops susceptible to sclerotinia include sunflower, and pulse crops such as dry bean, field pea, and lentil. Although crop rotation is important, environmental conditions are the main determining factor in the development of sclerotinia in canola.
• Has sclerotinia been a problem in the immediate area on canola or other crops in recent years? Sclerotinia sclerotia can remain viable in the soil for up to four years.
• Is there a high yield outlook for the field based on fertilizer application and heavy crop stand? The higher the target yield, the greater the chance of sclerotinia occurrence.

  Update provided by Minnesota Canola Council