The video below covers the topic of Clubroot Disease.
It is a disease that effects many crops which are grown by farmers, it is a long-term disease if one’s land becomes infected, so prevention is the best policy.
Top Tips
- Clubroot Disease affects members of the Brassica family (Fodder Rape, Mustard, Oilseed Rape, Kale, Swedes, Stubble Turnip etc)
- Clubroot is a soil borne fungus and severely damages the root system of infected plants.
- Hosts include Charlock & Shepherds Purse
- Clubroot can cause 50% yield loss in Oilseed Rape
- Almost complete crop failure has been observed in severely affected fodder brassicas
- Clubroot remains viable in the soil for up to 15 years
- Rotation is the best way of preventing the disease (no closer than 1 year in 3 for Brassicas, preferably 1 year in 5).
- Easily spread on soil by machinery, footwear and grazing animals
- Soil pH of over 7 and high Calcium levels can lower the severity of the disease
- Do not use Brassica cover crops if Oilseed Rape is in the rotation
- Over reliance on resistant varieties can select for resistant Clubroot disease