March 24, 2003

Australian researchers are leading the fight against Clubroot, a serious disease of brassica crops including cauliflower, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

Western Australian Department of Agriculture research officer Rachel Lancaster said a soil test for detecting the organism had been developed in Australia as part of research being conducted into clubroot. This was a world first and although other countries were working on a similar concept, the actual test was first developed in Australia. Clubroot research in Australia is funded by Horticulture Australia, the AusVeg levy and by each of the States' Department of Agriculture.

"At the recent International Congress of Plant Pathology in New Zealand it was obvious from discussions with colleagues from around the world that Australian farmers seem to be better placed for managing the disease compared to some other countries", she said.

Ms Lancaster said Clubroot caused gall formation on the roots of brassica plants, reducing the uptake of water and nutrients. Infection by the organism that causes clubroot can reduce the yield of the crop due to poor growth or death of the infected plants.

Australian management strategies for the disease are slightly different around the country as they vary with soil type and farming systems.

"Unfortunately Clubroot has been present in Western Australia for several years and is a problem for our export brassica industry", said Ms Lancaster.

Research conducted in Australia has provided growers throughout the country with management methods for the disease which are based on an integrated management strategy of farm hygiene, crop rotation with non-brassica crops, raising soil pH and the strategic use of fungicides.