Story Posted: May 04, 2009

SaskCanola Cautions Producers about Clubroot

The Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) is reminding farmers to follow best management and disease prevention practices as they begin seeding their 2009 canola crop.

This reminder is particularly important in light of the recent testing of a soil sample from a randomly selected west central Saskatchewan field that may contain the clubroot pathogen. To this point, test results on the sample are inconclusive and warrant further testing and monitoring of the field.

"We are advised that clubroot symptoms were not observed on any of the canola crops surveyed in Saskatchewan in 2008; however, the clubroot pathogen's DNA was detected in a soil sample from one field. Re-testing is now underway on another soil sample from the same field and final test results are expected to be known by the end of June, 2009", Pat Flaten, Research Manager for SaskCanola stated.

Confirmation of clubroot requires observation of disease symptoms in a susceptible crop in addition to detection of the pathogen's DNA in a plant or soil sample.

"As a precaution, it is important that farmers be informed of this situation particularly as they begin spring field operations. It is also an opportunity to remind farmers to be vigilant as to their best practices regarding cleaning of field equipment, specifically equipment originating from known infested areas in Alberta, in order to prevent clubroot movement to and within Saskatchewan. Farmers are also reminded that a crop rotation of 4 years or more will limit clubroot infestation and reduce the impact of other plant diseases," Flaten said.

Clubroot, primarily a soil-borne disease that affects the roots of canola and other related field and vegetable crops, was first reported in western Canada near Edmonton, Alberta in 2003. Clubroot symptoms have not been observed in Saskatchewan canola crops and a viable clubroot pathogen has not, to this point, been confirmed in Saskatchewan canola fields.

"Throughout this 2009 crop season, SaskCanola encourages farmers to ensure proper crop rotation, scout susceptible crops regularly, and practice good equipment sanitation," Flaten concluded.

For detailed information on clubroot visit www.clubroot.ca

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