Causal Agent:
Fungus (Plasmodiophora brassicae)
Characteristic Symptoms: | |
Common symptoms are swelling and injury of roots and hypocotyl |
|
The pathogen infects taproots and secondary roots | |
Roots of infected plants form galls which varies with plant age and root morphology and eventually result to root clubbing | |
Plants becomes yellow and stunted due to root clubbing and eventually wilt | |
Infected plants have fewer, smaller and blue-green leaves. | |
Conditions for Disease Development | |
The disease is favoured by high soil moisture, soil temperature at above 20° C and soil acidity | |
Contaminated transplants are the primary way of long -range spread
|
|
The pathogen can survive dormant in soil for decades and can be spread by irrigation water, infested roots and wind-borne soil particles | |
Management and Control: | |
Use of resistant variety (if available)
|
|
Use pathogen-free transplants. | |
Avoid acidic soil.
|
|
Crop rotation with non-host crop for at least 3 years to reduce the amount of primary inoculum. | |
Increase soil pH to above 7.0 by lime application to reduce symptom severity or root clubbing. | |
Calcium and Boron application can also reduce root clubbing. | |
Avoid furrow irrigation. |
To view other diseases, click here.
Need more help? Ask the Doctor.