Clubroots

A a serious soil-borne disease

of cruciferous plants belonging
to the family Brassicaceae or
(previously referred to as)
Cruciferae and other related
crops in which the root
becomes swollen and distorted
by a single large gall or group
of smaller galls.
All members of the cabbage
family (Brassicaceae) are
susceptible to clubroot. This
includes cabbage, cauliflower,
broccoli, Brussels sprouts(mini
cabbage), radish, turnips,
arugula, bok choy (pechay)
and other related.
It caused by the soilborne fungus
Plasmodiophora brassicae. This
relatively simple fungus forms no
mycelia (numerous threadlike branches)
and is an obligate parasite, meaning that
it can develop and multiply only in living
host cells. Its vegetative phase consists
of a multinucleate mass of protoplasm
lacking a cell wall (plasmodium or slime
mold).
Although the organism primarily
attacks members of the Cruciferae,
the intensity of disease caused on
different crops “Host Range” varies.
The organism also exists as many
specialized forms or races, the
variation in plant resistance and
ability to survive in different areas
being explained thereby.
Damage Symptoms
Clubroots may develop extensively on
plant roots. Plants are stunted or wilt
with only slight drought stress. Leaves
may turn yellow. Young plants may
be killed. Older plants fail to produce a
harvestable head. Roots are swollen
and distorted into large clubs.
Secondary pathogens can infect
clubbed roots, causing them to break
down and turn black.
Stunting due to Swollen, distorted roots
clubroot caused by clubroot
When diseased plants are pulled from the
soil, the roots are usually swollen and. The
name clubroots is derived from these
symptoms. Root malformation may vary in
size from very small swellings on the tap
and lateral roots to large club-shaped
roots, depending on when the plants
became infected. In addition to reducing
the plant’s ability to take up water, the
clubbed tissue fails to develop a protective
outer layer and, thus, is susceptible to
invasion by soft rotting bacteria.
Clubroots Favorable
Condition of
Development
Disease
Cycle
Fungal spores can be spread by wind,
water and garden tools. Disease
development can occur over a wide
range of conditions, but is favored by
excessive moisture, low soil pH and soil
temperatures between 64 and 77˚F.
Spores can survive in the soil for as
many as 10 years.
When soil conditions dictate, the
resting spores of the pathogen
germinate to produce zoospores,
which are able to “swim” by means
of flagella to infect susceptible plant
root hairs. Germination of resting
spores requires moist, acid soil
and can occur over a wide
temperature range of 54°-81 ° F
(12°-27° C).
Disease development is favored by
high soil moisture and soil
temperatures between 64°-77° F
(18°-25° C). Although clubroot has
been found in soils exhibiting a wide
pH range from 4.5-8.1, the disease is
primarily associated with acid soils.
Within the infected plant roots, the
organism develops rapidly, causing
an increase in the number and size
of cells, which results in “clubbing.”
During the development of the
organism in the plant, new
zoospores are produced; these are
capable of infecting the same plant
or adjacent plants and, thus,
repeating the cycle.
Eventually, resting spores are formed
within the diseased plant tissue, and
these are released into the soil when
the plant roots disintegrate.
Clubroot Prevention
and Control
 Practice a good crop rotation.
To avoid infesting land, do not
plant one susceptible crop after
another for a period of five to
seven years. Susceptible
weeds in the land should also
be controlled during this time.
 Infested land should be
seeded to a sod crop such as
hay or pasture for at least seven
years to prevent the movement
of soil. The land should be
isolated until the sod is well
established. Additionally,
susceptible weeds should also
All equipment and tools used on
infested land should be washed
down and, preferably, steam-
cleaned or disinfected to prevent
carrying the disease to
uninfested fields.
Cattle-fed infected plant material
can pass the viable fungus spores
in manure. Do not apply infested
manure to land intended to grow
cruciferous crops. If possible,
apply it to already infested land or
spread it on permanent pasture
land that will not be used for any
susceptible crops and where run-
off will not carry the disease to
uninfested fields.
The clubroot organism
thrives in cold, wet soil,
therefore wet land should be
avoided. Land drainage will
help to control the disease.
The clubroot organism prefers
acid soils. Raising the pH above
7.2 will help to reduce the
incidence of the disease. Growers
are reminded that at this high a pH
some micro nutrients, such as
boron, become unavailable to the
crop. Boron will have to be applied
as a foliar spray in addition to the
nutrients supplied in the fertilizer.
Make sure all transplants are
free from clubroot. Inspect
transplants before they are
put in the field.
Plant resistant cultivars. The
development of clubroot-
resistant cultivars is difficult
because nine races of the
disease have been identified.
Fields can have one or more
races present.There are resistant
cultivars of cabbage and
broccoli; however, they have
poor horticultural characteristics.
Using fungicides will give
control of clubroot in the field
on broccoli, brussel sprouts,
cabbage and cauliflower.
Read the product label for the
proper use of these
chemicals.
Thank you!