New Seed Treatment Combination Aims to Manage Aphanomyces in Peas, Lentils

Key Takeaways

• Rancona Trio + Belmont 2.7 FS uniquely controls aphanomyces.
• Disease can slash pea/lentil yields up to 84%.
• Annual Canadian losses estimated at $1.5 billion.
• Early seed treatment improves stand uniformity.
• Wet conditions amplify pathogen risk.

Pulse Analysis

Aphanomyces euteiches, the soil‑borne pathogen behind aphanomyces root rot, has long plagued Canadian pulse growers. Because infection occurs below the surface, symptoms often emerge only after plants have suffered significant root damage, leading to stand failures and yield reductions that can exceed 80 percent in severe cases. The disease thrives in saturated soils, making regions with high rainfall or poor drainage hotspots for loss. Economists estimate the cumulative impact on Canada’s pea and lentil sectors approaches $1.5 billion each year, underscoring the need for reliable control tools.

UPL’s new seed‑treatment package pairs Rancona Trio, a multi‑mode fungicide blend, with Belmont 2.7 FS, a systemic protectant. Rancona Trio delivers both contact and systemic activity against a range of fungal threats, while Belmont 2.7 FS adds a targeted layer of protection specifically against aphanomyces. According to the company, this is the only registered combination in Canada that claims full disease control, positioning it as a differentiator in a market where growers have relied on cultural practices and off‑season fumigation. Early‑season application secures stand uniformity and safeguards the seed investment.

For pulse producers, the combo offers a practical entry point into integrated disease management. By reducing early‑season loss, growers can maintain higher plant populations, which translates into better harvestable yields and more predictable revenue streams. Adoption will likely accelerate in regions with recurrent wet conditions, where the pathogen pressure is greatest. However, experts caution that seed treatments should complement, not replace, scouting, crop rotation, and soil health initiatives. As climate variability intensifies, solutions like Rancona Trio + Belmont 2.7 FS could become essential components of a resilient pulse production system.