VG00044 Clubroot – Implementing a control strategy

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 : Integrated control includes the use of
prevention and management techniques to provide cost effective disease control

There are two elements of integrated Clubroot disease control :

Prevention

• HYGIENE Good farm sanitation and hygiene protocols are your responsibility and your right.

  Develop a hygiene strategy and ensure all staff and visitors follow it.

• SOURCE Use uncontaminated; Water. Seedlings. Trays. Equipment.
• CLUBROOT THRIVES in warm, moist, acid soils. Increase pH to 6.5-7.5 with lime
• CULTURAL PRACTICES Improve drainage. Rotate with non-brassica crops. Control brassica weeds. Use beneficial nutrients.

Management

• IDENTIFY Determine disease risk. Identify and eliminate the source.
• DECIDE upon a management strategy based on the disease risk category.
• QUARANTINE Remove affected plants. Dispose of diseased material. Isolate the area.
• IMPLEMENT the elements of the strategy. Consider appropriate rates, timing and method of application.

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).