(File photo/ farmnewsNOW staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Clubroot Testing

Clubroot test kits available

Aug 14, 2019 | 5:00 PM

Clubroot surveillance is an important way to increase the understanding of the distribution and severity of disease in Saskatchewan.

Ministry of Agriculture crops extension specialist Kim Stonehouse said testing in areas where the disease is present and in areas that were not included in the 2018 clubroot survey will help determine the seriousness of the spread.

“In 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture will be expanding its clubroot survey to address these objectives. As well, we would like to encourage producers to monitor for the clubroot pathogen on their own farms through a voluntary soil testing program,” Stonehouse said.

A limited number of soil testing kits are being made available for farmers to test for the clubroot pathogen in their fields. These kits can be picked up at Ministry of Agriculture regional offices and the cost of the testing will be covered by SaskCanola.

“We encourage all producers to scout their canola fields for clubroot symptoms and implement proactive management and sanitation practices on their farm,” Stonehouse said. “When clubroot is found, we encourage producers to report the clubroot finding to the Ministry. Clubroot has been confirmed in 43 commercial canola fields in Saskatchewan. These new clubroot findings indicate that the risk of clubroot in Saskatchewan is higher than previously thought.”

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The results of the 2019 clubroot survey and all reports of clubroot external to the survey will be used to update the Saskatchewan Clubroot Distribution Map to raise awareness and encourage proactive management.

“All specific land locations and producer information will be kept confidential and will only be shared with the appropriate R.M. when a clubroot specific bylaw is enacted,” Stonehouse said. “Clubroot is best managed when detected early. Proactive management strategies that include clubroot-resistant varieties, extended crop rotations, procedures to reduce soil movement and vigilant monitoring can be used to keep pathogen levels low and minimize yield losses.”

Clubroot is a soil-borne disease that causes deformed swollen roots that restrict a plant’s ability to get water and nutrients from the soil. It’s spread primarily by the redistribution of soil and if not managed, clubroot can cause significant yield losses in field crops such as canola, mustard, camelina and others.

Clubroot has been declared a pest under the provincial Pest Control Act.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF