Clubroot – Nursery Design

Clubroot is the most serious soilborne disease affecting brassicas world wide and is caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin.

Clubroot is endemic in most Australian production regions with crop losses between 5 and 10%.

Nursery design to minimise clubroot risk

FACT
Simple design features can minimise entry of clubroot

Nursery Design Features :

• Clearly signpost limited access areas.
• Never place trays on the ground as they may come into contact with spores contained in soil and water.
• Cover bare earth with concrete or gravel.
• Place a footbath containing bleach or other type of disinfectant at the entrance to a glasshouse or shade house to prevent the transfer of disease from one area to another.
• Separate delivery and production areas.
• Supply high pressure wash down facilities, as this is most effective means of removing dirt.
• Where possible pack transplants into waxed boxes to avoid sending trays onto farms.
• Protect the nursery from dust carried on the prevailing wind using screens or vegetation.
• Create separate delivery and loading areas.
• Control rodents.

See Also :

Caroline Donald – DPI Victoria (this site)

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