General Recommendations: Clubroot is mainly a disease of plants in the cabbage family including cabbages, radish, mustard and ornamentals such as candytuft. Its diagnosis is often missed as the infected plant part, the roots, are underground and out of sight. The first symptom is usually wilting during average daily conditions but recovery at night. The older leaves may yellow and die and the plants look stunted. Examination of the root system reveals large galls on the roots that make them look club-like and reduced feeder roots. The reduction in feeder roots as well as disruption of the water conducting tissue in the roots causes the drought-like symptoms.
Control of Clubroot:
1. Remove diseased plants. The disease organism can reside in the soil for many years so although quick removal of diseased plants is recommended the disease may return if plants in the cabbage family are planted in the infested soil the following year.
2. Add lime. Since problems are more severe in acid soils (pH 5.0-7.0) adding lime to acid soils can help control the disease. |
