Clubroot

Club Root

Clubroot

Clubroot is a disease that affects plants in the cabbage family, including canola and mustard. Caused by the soil-borne pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae, infected plants may exhibit deformation of the roots, showing a club-like appearance.

This disease can reduce yields significantly, and can cause different symptoms in the plant depending on the life stage of the plant during the time of infection. In the seedling stage, the plant can be wilted and show signs of stunted growth and yellowing nearing the early podding stage. Later infection will often cause premature ripening, reducing total yields and seed quality. Clubroot spores can persist in infected soil for up to 20 years. Due to it's persistent nature, the best control for clubroot is prevention.

Clubroot is a designated pest under the Agricultural Pests Act. The Agricultural Service Board employs the Agricultural Fieldmen to enforce the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation through the following procedures:

  • Surveying for clubroot
  • Recording and keeping records of instances of clubroot in the County
  • Providing recommendations for prevention and control to producers in the area
  • Enforcing procedures to align with the Alberta Clubroot Management Policy

In 2003, there was the first confirmed case of Clubroot in Canola in Alberta. Starland County discovered its first case of Clubroot in 2019. Since it's discovery in 2003, Alberta implemented a Clubroot Management Plan which outlines best management practices for producers and for industry. Starland County implemented a Clubroot Control Policy specific to this municipality. Both include best management practices, which include:

  1. Grow a clubroot resistant variety of canola.
  2. Practice good sanitation procedures. The most important control method is to physically remove large pieces of mud and soil, and remove loose dirt before exiting your field.
  3. Practice good crop rotation.
  4. Control volunteer canola, mustard, and other volunteer cruciferous weeds, including wild mustard, stink weed, and Shepard’s purse.
  5. Minimize traffic to and from fields. In fields with infestation centered around the access, create a new exit at a distant edge of the field.
  6. Scout canola regularly.

 

For more information, visit the following page:

https://www.alberta.ca/clubroot-disease-of-canola-and-mustard

Alberta Clubroot Management Plan