A growing number of reported clubroot infested crops has raised alarm bells for local producers in Alberta, according to Red Deer County agricultural services manager Art Preachuk.
However, producers can minimize canola yield losses by using resistant varieties and practising correct sanitation after attending a seminar about clubroot management at the Penhold Community Hall at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 24.
“Clubroot is a disease that's coming into Alberta,” said Preachuk. “It's got a good foothold around Edmonton and now it's moving into other counties. We found four more fields of clubroot in the county, which makes a total of seven cases.”
In fact, clubroot was dubbed a problem under Alberta's Agricultural Pest Act in 2007. Historically, it has been spread through soil that's infested with resting spores, which are carried from field to field by farming equipment used for tillage.
Alberta's Agriculture and Rural Development sector recently reported 17 municipalities facing problems with clubroot.
“It's all about management practices and sanitation, which means cleaning the dirt off of your implements between fields,” said Preachuk. “The longer rotation you have of crops, not growing the same crops over and over, but mixing up your crops — which means rotation, the longer the rotation the better.
“It'll prevent the clubroot from getting established with a strong foothold.”
In addition, wind and water erosion have also contributed to the spread of clubroot in Alberta fields.
Some of the best ways to avoid clubroot include alternating growing clubroot-resistant varieties with different sources of resistance, long rotation breaks, good sanitation practices and minimizing vehicle and equipment traffic near the fields.
Alberta is working towards minimizing the problem by continuing efforts to prevent the further spread of this pathogen and promoting public awareness about disease management plans.
But in the midst of a busy harvest season, Preachuk said barley, wheat and canola producers in this region are not yet at odds with a problem they cannot beat.
“Our last couple of years have been textbook,” he added. “Ideal for harvest.”
There is no admission fee to attend the Penhold seminar and it is open to the public. If you have any questions or concerns regarding clubroot, call Preachuk at 403-350-2150.
For more information about clubroot, visit http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex11519.
"Clubroot is a disease that's coming into Alberta."Art Preachuk, agricultural service mananger
