VG00044 Clubroot – Limes and liming

Clubroot is the most serious soilborne disease affecting brassicas world wide.

Clubroot is caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, an obligate biotrophic parasite.

Australian crop losses are estimated at between 5 and 10% of production.

Clubroot is endemic in most of the major production regions of Victoria, New South Wales and
Tasmania.

FACT :  Clubroot thrives in acid soils below pH 7.0
        
Use LIME to raise the soil pH

Liming is an effective preventative measure and is cheap and easy to apply. :

• Monitor soil pH to maintain a pH of 7.0 to 7.5.

Important factors that influence the effectiveness of lime applcation:

• pH of the liming material which can vary from 7.0 (unprocessed limes) to 12.0 (processed limes).

• Neutralising Value indicates the acid reducing ability of a lime and is expressed relative to calcium carbonate

• Particle size influences the rate of reactivity ranging from days or weeks (fine limes) to months or years (coarse limes).

• Timing of application, regardless of the type of lime used, aim to reach maximum soil pH at the time of transplanting to protect the young transplant from infection.

Acknowlegements:
Financial support for this research has been provided by: Horticulture Australia Limited, the vegetable
growers R&D levy and Stae Departments of Agriculture.

Thanks to the following growers for their assistance with trial work:

Thanks to the following for their technical assistance on the project:

Statistical advice by Fiona Thomson and Nam Ky Nguyen (Department of Primary Industries, Vic).