Dr. Debra McLaren

Retired - Research Scientist, Crop Production Pathology

Development of improved disease management strategies for the production of pulse and oilseed crops

Management of plant disease risk in diversified cropping systems

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Brandon, Manitoba

Current research and/or projects

Molecular diagnostic procedures for the rapid, specific and sensitive detection of root rot pathogens in symptomatic field pea, dry bean and soybean roots.
Determine the frequency and diversity of root rot pathogens in Canadian soybean crops.
Identification of the pathotypes of Phytophthora sojae and their distribution in western Canadian soybean crops.
Determine the impact of crop type and crop sequence on soybean root diseases.
Determine whether pathogen quantification in soil can predict root rot incidence of field pea and severity in the field
Assessment of canola diseases: surveillance and epidemiology – staying ahead of Important canola issues such as clubroot.
Develop agronomic management packages and diverse cropping sequences/ systems that reduce the impact of root diseases and improve net production returns.

Research and/or project statements

To increase productivity and competitiveness of agricultural production, this research program supports the Agro-Ecosystem Resilience sector science strategy through the development of new means to address management challenges from current and emerging plant pathogens.

Professional activities / interests

Pulse crop pathology (field pea, dry bean)
Oilseed pathology (soybean, canola)
Crop production systems
Integrated pest management
Sustainable agriculture

Education and awards

Ph.D. University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB

Post Doctoral Fellowship. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Beaverlodge, AB

Achievements in Plant Disease Management Award. Pulse Crop Research Team. 2016. Canadian Phytopathological Society.

Gold Harvest Award for Innovation, Collaboration and Service Excellence. 2017. Clubroot Risk Mitigation Initiative Team.

Key publications

Khakbazan, M., Mohr, R.M., Huang, J., Xie, R., Volkmar, K.M., Tomasiewicz, D.J., Moulin, A.P., Derksen, D.A., Irvine, B.R., McLaren, D.L., Nelson, A. (2019). Effects of crop rotation on energy use efficiency of irrigated potato with cereals, canola, and alfalfa over a 14-year period in Manitoba, Canada. Soil & Tillage Research, [online] 195 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2019.104357
2019 - View publication details
Kim, Y.M., Henriquez, M.A., McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Chang, K.F., Hwang, S.F., Gossen, B.D., and Strelkov, S.E. (2019) Fusarium species affecting field pea, dry bean and soybean in Manitoba. In Program and Abstracts. The 2019 Bean Improvement Cooperative and North American Pulse Improvement Association Biennial Meetings. November 6-8, 2019, Fargo, ND. Page 62.
2019 - View publication details
Chatterton, S., Harding, M.W., Bowness, R., Mclaren, D.L., Banniza, S., Gossen, B.D. (2019). Importance and causal agents of root rot on field pea and lentil on the Canadian prairies, 2014–2017. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, [online] 41(1), 98-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2018.1547792
2019 - View publication details
Bing, D.J., Beauchesne, D., McLaren, D., Gan, Y., Cuthbert, R. (2019). Aac carver field pea. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 99(2), 299-301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2018-0242
2019 - View publication details
Bing, D.J., Beauchesne, D., McLaren, D., Gan, Y., Balasubramanian, P., Naeem, H. (2019). AAC olive marrowfat pea. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 99(5), 780-782. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2019-0119
2019 - View publication details
Bing, D.J., Beauchesne, D., McLaren, D., Gan, Y., Cuthbert, R. (2019). AAC chrome field pea. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 99(5), 777-779. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2019-0120
2019 - View publication details
Bing, D.J., Beauchesne, D., McLaren, D., Gan, Y., Cuthbert, R. (2019). Aac comfort field pea. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 99(2), 286-288. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2018-0243
2019 - View publication details
Chang, K.F., Hwang, S.F., Conner, R.L., Ahmed, H.U., Zhou, Q., Fu, H., Turnbull, G.D., Nyandoro, R., Strelkov, S.E., McLaren, D.L., Gossen, B.D. (2019). Effects of fusarium avenaceum and rhizoctonia solani on the growth of soybean in saline soils1. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 99(2), 128-137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2017-0371
2019 - View publication details
Kutcher, H.R., Turkington, T.K., McLaren, D.L., Irvine, R.B., Brar, G.S. (2018). Fungicide and cultivar management of leaf spot diseases of winter wheat in western canada. Plant Disease, [online] 102(9), 1828-1833. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-17-1920-RE
2018 - View publication details
Khakbazan, M., Mohr, R.M., Huang, J., Campbell, E., Volkmar, K.M., Tomasiewicz, D.J., Moulin, A.P., Derksen, D.A., Irvine, B.R., McLaren, D.L., Nelson, A. (2018). Economic and Risk Effects of Rotation Based on a 14-Year Irrigated Potato Production Study in Manitoba. American Journal of Potato Research, [online] 95(3), 258-271. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12230-017-9627-8
2018 - View publication details
Gossen, B.D., Chatterton, S., and McLaren, D.L. 2017. Distribution of root rot on pea and lentil crops on the Canadian prairies, 2016. Phytopathology 107 (S5): 105.
2017 - View publication details
Bing, D.J., Beauchesne, D., McLaren, D., Vera, C. (2017). AAC Royce field pea. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 97(2), 365-367. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2016-0175
2017 - View publication details
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Chatterton, S., Foroud, N.A., Gossen, B.D., McLaren, D.L. (2017). Identification and community dynamics of fungi associated with root, crown, and foot rot of field pea in western Canada. European Journal of Plant Pathology, [online] 147(3), 489-500. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10658-016-1017-4
2017 - View publication details
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Chatterton, S., Gossen, B.D., McLaren, D.L. (2017). Metagenomic analysis of oomycete communities from the rhizosphere of field pea on the Canadian prairies. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, [online] 63(9), 758-768. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2017-0099
2017 - View publication details
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Chatterton, S., Gossen, B.D., McLaren, D.L. (2017). Degenerate ITS7 primer enhances oomycete community coverage and PCR sensitivity to Aphanomyces species, economically important plant pathogens. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, [online] 63(9), 769-779. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2017-0100
2017 - View publication details
McLaren, D.L., Henriquez, M.A., Kim, Y.M., Conner, R.L., Hwang, S.F., Chang, K.F., Mohr, R.M., and Strelkov, S.E. (2016). "Getting to the root of the problem: root diseases in Manitoba crops.", Manitoba Ag Days, Brandon, MB, Canada, January 21, 2016.
2016 - View publication details
Gossen, B.D., Conner, R.L., Chang, K.F., Pasche, J., McLaren, D.L., Henriquez, M.A., Chatterton, S., and Hwang, S.F. 2016. Identifying and managing root rot of pulses on the northern Great Plains. Plant Dis. 100: 1965 1978.
2016 - View publication details
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Chatterton, S., Foroud, N.A., Gossen, B.D., and McLaren, D.L. 2016. Modified ITS7 primer enhances oomycete richness detection and the amplification of economically important taxa. Mycol. Soc. Amer., August 7 11, Berkley, CA.
2016 - View publication details
Gossen, B.D., Chatterton, S., Conner, R.L., Chang, K.F., Pasche, J.S., McLaren, D.L., and Hwang, S.F. 2016. Root rot: An ongoing challenge to pulse production on the Prairies. Proc. 10th Can Pulse Res. Workshop, Winnipeg, MB, Oct. 27 28, 2016. p. 23.
2016 - View publication details
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Chatterton, S., Foroud, N. A., Gossen, B. D., and McLaren, D. L. 2016. Identity and host specificity of root rot pathogens of pea, wheat and canola colonizing standing pea stubble from the Canadian Prairies. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 38: 264.
2016 - View publication details