VG00044 Clubroot – Introduction

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 :  Options are available to Prevent or Control Clubroot

Recognising clubroot:
The first symptom of clubroot is usually wilting.

Severely diseased plants are generally stunted and
foliage colour may change.

Root galling indicates
that infection has occurred.

Infection:
Decaying root galls release many resting spores
into the soil which are potentially infective for up
to twenty years.

Infection can occur on the plant root at any growth stage.

Clubroot is mainly a summer disease in Australia.

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).