Different freezing factors associated with Saskatchewan winters in relation to the viability of Penicillium bilaiae

Abstract

Survival of Penicillium bilaiae over the winter months is essential for use on fall seeded canola crops. Through a series of freeze experiments it is has been demonstrated that P. bilaiae can successfully survive low temperatures down to -196 °C when there is a controlled decrease in temperature. Penicillium bilaiae is still viable after being frozen at -20 °C for 100 days. Cycles of freezes to -8 °C and thaws at 2 °C had no effect on viability of P. bilaiae. Penicillium bilaiae on seed should be able to successfully survive freezing conditions associated with a Saskatchewan winter.