There has been a confirmed case of clubroot found in Mountain View County.
According to the county's agricultural services manager Jane Fulton, a producer located north of Olds noticed above-ground symptoms during swathing and then found galls on the roots of a canola plant.
Clubroot is a soil-borne disease of cruciferous crops such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, but also affects canola. Alberta Agriculture states the disease is "capable of significantly reducing yield and quality".
There have been cases of clubroot in the county before. Last year, the first was found near the Cremona-Dogpound area, Fulton wrote to the Gazette. It has also been found in Red Deer County and Clearwater County.
Ag service staff have inspected multiple areas in the county but have not found any other symptoms of clubroot, she continues. Inspections are still ongoing.
Fulton writes the disease can be prevented from spreading through crop rotation, use of resistant varieties and keeping equipment clean.
"Clubroot can spread from field to field via contaminated soil, and is predominantly spread by contaminated equipment. Other methods of spread could include movement of soil with water or wind and soil attached to hay, straw, greenfeed or seed," she writes.
“While a longer crop rotation will not prevent introduction or spread of clubroot the practice will lower disease buildup and severity easing the management of the disease. In areas where clubroot is present it is recommended to use clubroot resistant varieties within an extended crop rotation. Regularly scouting of canola fields for any clubroot symptoms such as wilting, stunting, yellowing, premature ripening or roots with galls is recommended."
"Clubroot can spread from field to field via contaminated soil, and is predominantly spread by contaminated equipment."Jane FultonMVC agricultural service manager
