Increased Clubroot Surveillance in 2018

Mar 23, 2018
 
Clubroot is an important soil-borne disease of canola and other brassicas that can cause yield losses of 50 per cent or greater under extreme conditions.
 
Yield loss will be highest when pathogen levels are high, a susceptible crop is grown and when environmental conditions are favourable for disease development. Low pathogen levels will result in smaller galls, or swollen root tissue, which will have a reduced impact on yield compared to large galls which will occur when pathogen levels are high.
 
In 2017, clubroot was confirmed in a limited number of canola fields in Saskatchewan crops districts 9A and 9B. Currently the distribution of clubroot in Saskatchewan is limited, putting the province in a good position to get ahead of the disease and take precautions to minimize the spread and severity of clubroot. The first step towards this goal is to increase our understanding of the distribution of clubroot in Saskatchewan. To address this gap in knowledge, the Ministry will conduct an extensive clubroot survey in the highest risk regions of Saskatchewan.
 
The survey area covers:
  • Regions where clubroot has been confirmed;
  • Areas in close proximity to clubroot infested areas along the Alberta-Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan-Manitoba borders;
  • High canola production areas; and
  • Regions with favourable environmental conditions.
This survey will start in mid-August. One field will be randomly surveyed in each township throughout the survey area. In each field, plants will be uprooted to examine for clubroot galls on the roots. Soil samples will also be collected at the field entrance for DNA testing to detect if the clubroot pathogen is present in the soil.
 
When positive fields are found, the landowner and/or producer will be contacted and informed of the positive clubroot finding. Since clubroot is a regulated pest in Saskatchewan, the legal land location of all positive fields will be reported to the appropriate rural municipality (RM). Under The Pest Control Act, RMs have the authority to undertake prevention and enforcement measures related to the spread and control of clubroot.
 
Source : Saskcanola
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