Down Garden Services

 HOME    SITEMAP    SEARCH    ARTICLES  

CLUB ROOT

( Plasmodiophora brassicae )

picture of clubroot
This cauliflower root has an advanced case of club root. Secondary wet rot and slugs have also joined in.

Most of the Cruciferae Family which includes all of the brassica are affected. The roots become stubby and swollen and can develop wet rot. This greatly reduces the function of the roots causing the leaves to become yellow and a severe stunting of growth. In dry conditions the leaves will wilt.
Moist, warm acid soils are more favoured by the fungus. The spores enter the root hairs and the fungus develops as a jelly-like mass (plasmodium) not as hyphae. This causes swelling and reduces the flow of water and nutrients to the plant. Resting spores are produced as the root rots and can survive in the soil for up to fifteen years. This means that even rotating crops on the usual four year cycle will not avoid the problem.
Some ornamental plants such as stocks, allysum and wallflowers are also in the Family Cruciferae and are susceptible to attack, as is the common weed Shepherds Purse. The growth and flowering are affected and they will be an alternate host which could bring the disease to the garden on transplants.

Back to article on Plant Diseases or use the back button of your browser.

© DOWN GARDEN SERVICES - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED