McLaren, Debra, Ph.D.

• Research Publications
• Other Science Related Publications

Contact Information:

18th St and Grand Valley Rd, Brandon Research Centre
PO Box 1000A RR 3
Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5Y3
Telephone: 204-578-3561
Fax: 204-728-3858
Email: debbie.mclaren@agr.gc.ca

Areas of Expertise:

• Development of improved disease management strategies for the production of pulse crops,
• potato and canola, with emphasis on sclerotinia diseases of bean and canola, and
• virus diseases of potato.
• Evaluate the impact of factors such as cropping intensity and diversity, tillage system, fertilizer
• inputs, forecasting and biological control on the incidence and severity of plant diseases with
• emphasis on crop production systems and an integrated approach to disease management.

Current Projects:

• Disease incidence in canola as affected by preceding crop
• Development and implementation of monitoring technologies to determine incidence and severity of biotic stresses associated with existing and emerging crop production issues
• Determine factors that affect plant pathogen survival, inoculum production, and disease development in order to develop best management practices
• Develop cultural control methods to reduce the impact of plant diseases on crops
• Development of technologies and practices to manage biotic risks to crop production systems, including low input and organic production systems

Affiliations:

• International Sclerotinia Working Group (ISWG)
• Canadian Forum for Biological Control
• Western Committee on Plant Diseases (Western Forum)
• Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC)
• Pulse Canada Sclerotinia Working Group

Research Publications:

2013:

• Bing, D.-J., Beauchesne, D., McLaren, D.L., Vera, C.L., and Gehl, D.T. (2013). "AAC Peace River field pea.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 93(2), pp. 337-339. doi : 10.4141/cjps2012-173
• Nie, X., Singh, M., Pelletier, Y., and McLaren, D.L. (2013). "Recent Advances on Potato virus Y Research in Canada.", American Journal of Potato Research, 90(1), pp. 14-20. doi : 10.1007/s12230-012-9288-6

2012:

• Chen, Y.-Y., Conner, R.L., Gillard, C.L., McLaren, D.L., Boland, G.J., Balasubramanian, P.M., Stasolla, C., Zhou, Q-X., Hwang, S.F., Chang, K.F., and Babcock, C. (2012). "A quantitative real-time PCR assay for detection of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in navy bean seeds.", Plant Pathology. doi : 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2012.02692.x
• Feng, J., Chang, K.F., Hwang, S.F., Strelkov, S.E., Conner, R.L., Gossen, B.D., McLaren, D.L., and Chen, Y.Y. (2012). "Analysis of expressed sequence tags derived from pea leaves infected by Peronospora viciae f. sp. pisi.", Annals of Applied Biology, 161(3), pp. 214-222. doi : 10.1111/j.1744-7348.2012.00566.x
• Harker, K.N., O'Donovan, J.T., Turkington, T.K., Blackshaw, R.E., Lupwayi, N.Z., Smith, E.G., Klein-Gebbinck, H.W., Dosdall, L.M., Hall, L.M., Willenborg, C.J., Kutcher, H.R., Malhi, S.S., Vera, C.L., Gan, Y.T., Lafond, G.P., May, W.E., Grant, C.A., and McLaren, D.L. (2012). "High-yield no-till canola production on the Canadian prairies.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 92(2), pp. 221-233. doi : 10.4141/CJPS2011-125
• Mohr, R.M., Irvine, R.B., Khakbazan, M., McLaren, D.L., Monreal, M.A., Moulin, A.P., Tomasiewicz, D.J., Volkmar, K.M., and Derksen, D.A. (2012). "Potato Rotation Study - Carberry, Manitoba (1997-2010).", Prairie Soils and Crops, 5, pp. 36-41.

2011:

• Bing, D.-J., Beauchesne, D., Sloan, A., McLaren, D.L., and Vera, C.L. (2011). "Earlystar field pea.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 91(6), pp. 1115-1116. doi : 10.4141/CJPS2011-076
• Feng, J., Hwang, R., Chang, K.F., Conner, R.L., Hwang, S.F., Strelkov, S.E., Gossen, B.D., McLaren, D.L., and Xue, A.G. (2011). "Identification of microsatellite markers linked to quantitative trait loci controlling resistance to fusarium root rot in field pea.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 91(1), pp. 199-204. doi : 10.4141/CJPS09176
• Gao, X., Mohr, R.M., McLaren, D.L., and Grant, C.A. (2011). "Grain cadmium and zinc concentrations in wheat as affected by genotypic variation and potassium chloride fertilization.", Field Crops Research, 122(2), pp. 95-103. doi : 10.1016/j.fcr.2011.03.005
• Grant, C.A., Derksen, D.A., McLaren, D.L., and Irvine, R.B. (2011). "Nitrogen Fertilizer and Urease Inhibitor Effects on Canola Seed Quality in a One-Pass Seeding and Fertilizing System.", Field Crops Research, 121(2), pp. 201-208. doi : 10.1016/j.fcr.2010.10.012
• Kutcher, H.R., Fernando, W.G.D., Turkington, T.K., and McLaren, D.L. (2011). "Best Management Practices for Blackleg Disease of Canola.", Prairie Soils and Crops, 4, pp. 122-134.
• Mohr, R.M., Volkmar, K.M., Derksen, D.A., Irvine, R.B., Khakbazan, M., McLaren, D.L., Monreal, M.A., Moulin, A.P., and Tomasiewicz, D.J. (2011). "Effect of Rotation on Crop Yield and Quality in an Irrigated Potato System.", American Journal of Potato Research, 88(4), pp. 346-359. doi : 10.1007/s12230-011-9200-9
• Monreal, M.A., Grant, C.A., Irvine, R.B., Mohr, R.M., McLaren, D.L., and Khakbazan, M. (2011). "Crop management effect on arbuscular mycorrhizae and root growth of flax.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 91(2), pp. 315-324. doi : 10.4141/cjps10136
• Turkington, T.K., Kutcher, H.R., McLaren, D.L., and Rashid, K.Y. (2011). "Managing Sclerotinia in Oilseed and Pulse Crops.", Prairie Soils and Crops, 4, pp. 105-113.

2010:

• Grant, C.A., Derksen, D.A., McLaren, D.L., and Irvine, R.B. (2010). "Nitrogen Fertilizer and Urease Inhibitor Effects on Canola Emergence and Yield in a One-Pass Seeding and Fertilizing System.", Agronomy Journal, 102(3), pp. 875-884. doi : 10.2134/agronj2010.0008
• Grant, C.A., Monreal, M.A., Irvine, R.B., Mohr, R.M., McLaren, D.L., and Khakbazan, M. (2010). "Preceding crop and phosphorus fertilization affect cadmium and zinc concentration of flaxseed under conventional and reduced tillage.", Plant and Soil, 333(1-2), pp. 337-350. doi : 10.1007/s11104-010-0349-7
• Khakbazan, M., Mohr, R.M., Volkmar, K.M., Tomasiewicz, D.J., Moulin, A.P., Derksen, D.A., Irvine, R.B., McLaren, D.L., and Monreal, M.A. (2010). "The Economics of Irrigated Potato Crop Rotation in Manitoba.", American Journal of Potato Research, 87(5), pp. 446-457. doi : 10.1007/s12230-010-9147-2

2009:

• Bing, D.-J., Beauchesne, D., Sloan, A., Gan, Y.T., Vera, C.L., McLaren, D.L., and Chang, K.F. (2009). "Argus field pea.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89(6), pp. 1107-1108. doi : 10.4141/CJPS09082
• Bing, D.-J., Beauchesne, D., Sloan, A., Gan, Y.T., Vera, C.L., McLaren, D.L., and Chang, K.F. (2009). "Hugo field pea.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89(1), pp. 73-75. doi : 10.4141/CJPS08111
• Bing, D.-J., Beauchesne, D., Sloan, A., Gan, Y.T., Vera, C.L., McLaren, D.L., and Chang, K.F. (2009). "Mendel field pea.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89(1), pp. 77-79. doi : 10.4141/CJPS08110
• Conner, R.L., Chen, Y.-Y., Hou, A., Balasubramanian, P.M., McLaren, D.L., and McRae, K.B. (2009). "Seedborne infection affects anthracnose infection in two dry bean cultivars.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology / Revue canadienne de phytopathologie, 31(4), pp. 449-455. doi : 10.1080/07060660909507619
• Grant, C.A., Monreal, M.A., Irvine, R.B., Mohr, R.M., McLaren, D.L., and Khakbazan, M. (2009). "Crop response to current and previous season applications of phosphorus as affected by crop sequence and tillage.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89(1), pp. 49-66. doi : 10.4141/CJPS07178
• Khakbazan, M., Grant, C.A., Irvine, R.B., Mohr, R.M., McLaren, D.L., and Monreal, M.A. (2009). "Influence of alternative management methods on the economics of flax production in the black soil zone.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89(5), pp. 903-913. doi : 10.4141/CJPS08179
• Khakbazan, M., Mohr, R.M., Derksen, D.A., Monreal, M.A., Grant, C.A., Zentner, R.P., Moulin, A.P., McLaren, D.L., Irvine, R.B., and Nagy, C.N. (2009). "Effects of Alternative Management Practices on the Economics, Energy and GHG Emissions of a Wheat-Pea Cropping System in the Canadian Prairies.", Soil & Tillage Research, 104(1), pp. 30-38. doi : 10.1016/j.still.2008.11.005

Other Science Related Publications:

2012:

• Henriquez, M.A., McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Penner, W.C., and Kerley, T.J. (2012). "Diseases of field bean in Manitoba in 2011.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 92, pp. 120-121.
• McLaren, D.L., Hausermann, D.J., Henriquez, M.A., Kerley, T.J., and Chang, K.F. (2012). "Field pea diseases in Manitoba in 2011.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 92, pp. 150-151.
• McLaren, D.L., Platford, R.G., Kubinec, A., Kutcher, H.R., Bisht, V., Derksen, H., Kristjanson, I., Phillips, K., Henderson, T.L., Hausermann, D.J., Jack, B., Picard, R., Jersak, S., Johnson, H., Stornowski, D., Neurenberg, E., Farooq, A., and McCracken, M. (2012). "Survey of canola diseases in Manitoba in 2011.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 92, pp. 130-132.

2011:

• Balasubramanian, P.M., Hou, A., Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Navabi, A., and Pauls, K.P. (2011). "Improvement of dry bean on the prairies for high yield, disease resistance and seed quality.", Pulse Science Cluster Scientific Meeting, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, November 17-18, 2011.
• Chang, K.F., Conner, R.L., Hwang, S.F., Gossen, B.D., McLaren, D.L., and Turnbull, G.D. (2011). "Occurrence, impact and management of root rot on faba bean in Alberta.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology / Revue canadienne de phytopathologie, 33, pp. 272. (Abstract)
• Chang, K.F., Hwang, S.F., Conner, R.L., Gossen, B.D., Strelkov, S.E., McLaren, D.L., and Turnbull, G.D. (2011). "Fungicide seed treatments to manage seedling blight of faba bean in Alberta, Canada, 2010.", Phytopathology, 101, pp. S30. (Abstract)
• Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Penner, W.C., and Kerley, T.J. (2011). "Diseases of dry bean in Manitoba in 2010.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 91, pp. 107-108.
• Gao, X., Mohr, R.M., McLaren, D.L., and Grant, C.A. (2011). "Variation in Cadmium, Iron and Zinc Concentrations in Grain of 13 Bread Wheat Cultivars Grown on Canadian Prairies.", 11th International Conference of Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, Florence, Italy, July 3-7, 2011. (Abstract)
• McLaren, D.L. (2011). "Diseases of canola: what to look for in 2011.", Webinar Presentation, July 22, 2011. (Presentation)
• McLaren, D.L., Hausermann, D.J., Henderson, T.L., and Kerley, T.J. (2011). "Field pea diseases in Manitoba in 2010.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 91, pp. 140-141.
• McLaren, D.L., Kubinec, A., Derksen, H., and Bisht, V. (2011). "What’s lurking in your canola field?", Manitoba Agronomists 2011 Conference, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, December 13-14, 2011.
• McLaren, D.L., Platford, R.G., Kutcher, H.R., Bisht, V., Kubinec, A., Kristjanson, I., Hammond, D., Henderson, T.L., Hausermann, D.J., Kaskiw, L., Williamson, K., Jersak, S., Johnson, H., Souque, J., Heshka, J., and Farooq, A. (2011). "Survey of canola diseases in Manitoba in 2010.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 91, pp. 124-126.

2010:

• Chang, K.F., Conner, R.L., Hwang, S.F., Gossen, B.D., McLaren, D.L., Strelkov, S.E., and Turnbull, G.D. (2010). "Occurrence, impact and management of root rot on faba bean in Alberta.", Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS) & Pacific Division of the American Phytopathological Society Joint 2010 Meeting, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, June 20-23, 2010, P-20. (Poster)
• Chang, K.F., Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Hwang, S.F., and Strelkov, S.E. (2010). "Occurrence of Faba bean root rot in Alberta and Manitoba in 2009.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 90, pp. 133-135.
• Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Penner, W.C., and Hausermann, D.J. (2010). "Diseases of field bean in Manitoba in 2009.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 90, pp. 119-120.
• Feng, J., Chang, K.F., Hwang, S.F., Strelkov, S.E., Gossen, B.D., Conner, R.L., and McLaren, D.L. (2010). "Esterase activity produced by conidia of Peronospora viciae f. sp. pisi.", 8th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Calgary, AB, Canada, November 3-5, 2010, pp. 1-2. (Poster)
• McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Hausermann, D.J., Henderson, T.L., Penner, W.C., and Kerley, T.J. (2010). "Field pea diseases in Manitoba in 2009.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 90, pp. 148-149.
• McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Monreal, M.A., Hwang, S.F., Chang, K.F., Gossen, B.D., and Mohr, R.M. (2010). "Management of fusarium root rot of field peas with new disease control strategies.", 8th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Calgary, AB, Canada, November 3-5, 2010, pp. 1. (Workshop)
• McLaren, D.L., Kubinec, A., Henderson, T.L., Hausermann, D.J., and Kerley, T.J. (2010). "Diseases of canola in Manitoba in 2009.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 90, pp. 130-132.

2009:

• Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Hou, A., and Balasubramanian, P.M. (2009). "Evaluation of dry beans for resistance to white mould.", Pulse Beat, 58, pp. 26-27.
• Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Penner, W.C., and Hausermann, D.J. (2009). "Diseases of Field Bean in Manitoba in 2008.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 89, pp. 108-109.
• Kirkham, C.L., Turkington, T.K., McLaren, D.L., Irvine, R.B., and Kutcher, H.R. (2009). "Fungicide reduces leaf spot severity and increases yield of winter wheat in western Canada.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology / Revue canadienne de phytopathologie, 31(1), pp. 143-144. (Abstract)
• Kirkham, C.L., Turkington, T.K., McLaren, D.L., Irvine, R.B., and Kutcher, H.R. (2009). "Management of leaf spotting diseases of winter wheat in western Canada.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology / Revue canadienne de phytopathologie, 31(1), pp. 143-144. (Abstract)
• McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Hausermann, D.J., Henderson, T.L., Penner, W.C., and Kerley, T.J. (2009). "Field Pea Diseases in Manitoba in 2008.", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 89, pp. 132-133.
• McLaren, D.L., Henderson, D.E., Hausermann, D.J., and Kerley, T.J. (2009). "Distribution, Prevalence and Incidence of Canola Diseases in Manitoba (2008).", Canadian Plant Disease Survey, 89, pp. 115-116.