DISEASE

NAME
Club Root of Crucifers
Plasmodiophora brassicae


Description
Pathogenic, Fungus

Symptoms
This fungus stunts the upper growth of the host and the plant tends to wilt easily or in some cases collapse. Inspection of the root system poor will showl poor growth and abnormally large swellings that are tapered at each end, unlike the smaller lumps of Root Knot Nematodes that are distributed along the roots.



Source and Dispersal
The spores can be dispersed by water, but more commonly in infected soil or on plant material and in seedlings stock.

Favoured Conditions
The fungus is most active when temperatures are between 18 to 25 deg C and prefers acidic moist soils.

Affected Plants
It attacks plants in the Brassicaceae family including, Arabis, Armoracia, Aubrieta, Brassica, Cheiranthus, Hesperis, Iberis, Lobulariaand Mathiolaspecies.

Non-chemical Control
If the infestation is small the soil may have lime added and the drainage improved. It may also be steam pasteurised at 30 deg C for 30 minutes. Other methods include a 4 year crop rotation, planting of disease free seedlings and planting of resistant varieties.

Chemical Control
There is no effective chemical control for domestic gardens, but commercial applications require the soil to be drenched in quintozene.
Note
Always read the label for registration details and direction of use prior to application of any chemicals.