Syama Chatterton

Image Syama Chatterton
Research Scientist

Plant pathologist for pulse and special crops

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Lethbridge Research and Development Centre

Current research and/or projects

Decision support system for Aphanomyces root rot of pea (AAFC A-base project), 2018 - 2021

Cover cropping as part of a rotation stragegy to reduce pea root rot and other management options (Alberta and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers), 2017 - 2021

Epidemiology of chocolate spot of faba bean (Alberta Pulse Growers, Western Grains Research Foundation, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and SK Ministry of Agriculture), 2017 - 2020

Breeding, physiology and agronomy to mitigate yield loss caused by root rots of pea (Canadian Pulse Science Research Cluster), 2018 - 2023

Optimizing disease management strategies for white mould and bacterial blights of dry bean (Canadian Pulse Science Research Cluster), 2018 - 2023

 

Research and/or project statements

My research program is aligned with AAFC sector strategies to increase agricultural productivity, and reduce threats to the value chain. Aphanomyces root rot is an increasing threat to pulse production in Alberta and Saskatchewan. New techniques, based on molecular pathogen quantification in soils, combined with integrated crop management practices to reduce losses in peas and lentils due to root rots are being developed. Foliar diseases, such as white mould and bacterial blights, also continue to reduce the yield potential of pulse crops. By screening breeding lines for disease reactions in the greenhouse and disease nurseries, breeders can improve productivity by incorporating improved resistance into elite cultivars thus reducing the impact of biotic stresses.  

Professional activities / interests

Mon programme de recherche concorde avec les stratégies sectorielles d’Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC) qui visent à améliorer le rendement agricole et à réduire les menaces qui guettent la chaîne de valeur. La nécrose racinaire précoce du pois, causée par le champignon Aphanomyces, représente un risque croissant pour la production de légumineuses à grains en Alberta et en Saskatchewan. Nous travaillons à la mise au point de nouvelles techniques basées sur la quantification moléculaire des pathogènes présents dans le sol combinées à des pratiques intégrées de gestion des cultures afin de prévenir les pertes associées à la nécrose des racines dans les cultures de pois et de lentilles. Les maladies foliaires, comme la pourriture à sclérotes et la graisse bactérienne, inhibent toujours le potentiel de rendement des légumineuses à grains. En examinant la réaction aux maladies des lignées généalogiques présentes dans les serres et les pépinières de recherche, les sélectionneurs peuvent améliorer la productivité en insérant des gènes de résistance accrue dans les cultivars d’élite, réduisant du même coup l’impact des stress biotiques.

Education and awards

Ph.D. Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 2010

M.Sc. Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, 2002

B.Sc. (Hons.) Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 1999

 

Awards:

Outstanding Young Researcher, Canadian Phytopathological Society, 2018

SFU President’s PhD Research Stipend, 2009

H.R. MacCarthy Bursary in Pest Management, 2009

SFU Graduate Fellowship, 2007 - 2009

Biocontrol Network PhD Scholarship, 2003 – 2006

NSERC - Postgraduate Scholarship B, 2003 - 2005      

NSERC - Postgraduate Scholarship A, 1999 – 2002

Key publications

  1. S. Kaur, J. Thomas, S. Meers, S. Chatterton, and H.A. Carcamo. 2016. Causal agents of necrotic spots on faba beans: lygus, Botrytis spp., or both? Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Winnipeg MB, October 26 – 28, 2016. (oral presentation)

    2016 - View publication details

  2. K.A. Kader, P.M. Balasubramanian, and S. Chatterton. Effect of irrigation and plant canopy architecture on white mold disease development in dry bean. Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Winnipeg MB, October 26 – 28, 2016. (oral presentation)

    2016 - View publication details

  3. T.L. Willsey, S. Chatterton, J. Thomas, and H.A. Carcamo. Intra-host interactions of soil-borne pathogens and an insect herbivore in field pea. Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Winnipeg MB, October 26 – 28, 2016. (oral presentation)

    2016 - View publication details

  4. S. Chatterton, M. Heynen, S. Safarieskandari, K. Zitnick-Anderson and J. S. Pasche. Molecular quantification of pathogenic Fusarium spp. in soil to predict pea root rot risk in the field. International Legume Society Conference. Troia, Portugal Oct 12 – 14, 2016. (oral presentation)

    2016 - View publication details

  5. Gossen, B.D., Conner, R.L., Chang, K.F., Pasche, J.S., McLaren, D.L., Henriquez, M.A., Chatterton, S., Hwang, S.F. (2016). Identifying and managing root rot of pulses on the northern great plains. Plant Disease, [online] 100(10), 1965-1978. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-16-0184-FE

    2016 - View publication details

  6. A. Esmaeili Taheri, S. Chatterton, N.A. Foroud, B.D. Gossen and D.L. McLaren. Metagenomic analysis of oomycete communities in rhizosphere soil from field pea on the Canadian prairies using Illumina Miseq. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathology Society, Tampa FL, USA, July 30 – August 3, 2016. (poster presentation)

    2016 - View publication details

  7. S. Chatterton, A. Erickson, and S. Banniza. Oospore dose-response and spatial distribution of the pea root rot pathogen, Aphanomyces euteiches, in Saskatchewan soils. Annual Meeting of the Canadian Phytopathological Society, Moncton NB, June 12 – 15, 2016. (oral presentation)

    2016 - View publication details

  8. S. Chatterton, M.W. Harding, R. Bowness, C. Vucurevich, Q. Storozynsky, T. Dubitz, J. Nielsen and M. Olson. 2016. Survey of root rot in Alberta field pea in 2015. Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 95:188-190.

    2016 - View publication details

  9. J. Reich, D.L. Johnson, and S. Chatterton. 2016. Seasonal dynamics of Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in seed alfalfa fields of Southern Alberta. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 38: 267.

    2016 - View publication details

  10. Chatterton, S., Balasubramanian, P.M., Erickson, R.S., Hou, A., McLaren, D.L., Henriquez, M.A., Conner, R.L. (2016). Identification of bacterial pathogens and races of Pseudomonas syringae pv. Phaseolicola from dry bean fields in Western Canada. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, [online] 38(1), 41-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2016.1141800

    2016 - View publication details

  11. Safarieskandari, S., Chatterton, S., and Hall, L.M. (2015). "Evaluation of host range of Fusarium species from pea fields in Alberta.", 36th Annual Meeting of the Plant Pathology Society of Alberta, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, November 16-18, 2015. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

  12. Chatterton, S., Carcamo, H.A., Thomas, J.B., Meers, S., Harding, M.W., Harker, K.N., Vandenberg, A., Shirtliffe, S.J., Bowness, R.T., Reid, P., Broatch, J.S., Barkley, S., Syrovy, A., Kaur, S., Brar, P., and Bruhjell, D. (2015). "Reducing necrotic spots on faba beans: lygus, chocolate spot or both?", West Forum Pest Management, Abottsford, BC, Canada, October 21-23, 2015.

    2015 - View publication details

  13. Chatterton, S., Erickson, R.S., Burke, D.A., Pugh, C., and Harding, M.W. (2015). "Dry bean diseases in Alberta in 2014.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 95, pp. 149-150.

    2015 - View publication details

  14. Reich, J., Johnson, D.L., and Chatterton, S. (2015). "Seasonal dynamics of Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in seed alfalfa fields of Southern Alberta.", 36th Annual Meeting of the Plant Pathology Society of Alberta, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, November 16-18, 2015. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

  15. Chatterton, S., Willsey, T., and Banniza, S. (2015). "Effect of oospore density on Aphanomyces root rot of pea in Saskatchewan soil types.", North American Pulse Improvement Association Conference, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 5-6, 2015. (Poster)

    2015 - View publication details

  16. Reich, J. and Chatterton, S. (2015). "Blossom blight and stem rot of seed alfalfa in southern Alberta in 2014.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 95, pp. 147-148.

    2015 - View publication details

  17. Chatterton, S., Willsey, T., Pinto-Larsen, K., and Banniza, S. (2015). "An update on Aphanomyces euteiches research since its first detection in Alberta pea fields in 2013.", 36th Annual Meeting of the Plant Pathology Society of Alberta, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, November 16-18, 2015. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

  18. Taheri, A.E., Safarieskandari, S., Chatterton, S., Foroud, N.A., Gossen, B.D., and McLaren, D.L. (2015). "Pathogenic fungi associated with root rot of field pea on the Canadian prairies.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 37, pp. 249. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

  19. Chatterton, S., Harding, M.W., and Bowness, R.T. (2015). "Identification of pathogens associated with root rot of field pea in Alberta.", Botany 2015, Shaw Convention Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 25-29, 2015. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

  20. Chatterton, S., Harding, M.W., and Bowness, R.T. (2015). "What’s lurking beneath the surface? The pathogens causing root rot of field pea in Alberta.", North American Pulse Improvement Association Conference, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 5-6, 2015. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
5403 1st Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Pulses
Plant›Pathology›Fungus

Affiliations

  • University of Lethbridge – Adjunct Professor

  • Canadian Phytopathological Society - Awards Committee, Information and Products Marketing Committee

  • Prairie Grain Development Committee – Chair, Disease Evaluation Team forPrairie Recommending Committee for Pulse and Special Crops

  • Western Committee on Plant Diseases – Secretary and Member

Language

English