DISEASE POSES RISK TO PROVINCIAL CANOLA CROP

As seeding begins in Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Agriculture urges producers to take appropriate steps to prevent the introduction of clubroot disease into Saskatchewan.

In 2007, nearly 60 canola fields in central Alberta were overcome by a harmful and swift-moving disease, known as clubroot. While clubroot has not been identified in Saskatchewan, it is extremely important for producers to take measures to prevent its establishment and spread.

This could be a record year for canola across the Prairies, with growers in Saskatchewan expected to seed up to 7.5 million acres. Clubroot infection can cause serious yield losses. There are no economically viable options for controlling clubroot once it is established in a canola field, so prevention is essential.

Clubroot is a soil-borne disease that affects the roots of cruciferous vegetables and crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, turnip, rutabaga, radish, canola and mustard. Cruciferous weeds (e.g. stinkweed, shepherd's-purse, wild mustard) can also serve as hosts to the disease.

Clubroot is mainly spread by soil movement containing soil-borne spores. Soil transport can occur by wind or water erosion, in manure from animals fed contaminated feed, and by earth tag on seed or on field machinery.

For more information, visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca. Click on Production, Crops-Disease and then Clubroot Disease of Canola - Frequently Asked Questions, or contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Robertson
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.robertson@gov.sk.ca