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1. What is Clubroot of Canola?

Clubroot is a serious soil-borne disease of crucifer crops. The crucifer family includes vegetable crops like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower as well as field crops such as canola and mustard. Clubroot attacks the root system of these plants and restricts sufficient water and nutrients for above-ground plant parts.

2. How does Clubroot Disease spread?

6.3 million spores per gram of soil.
Clubroot can only spread through resting spores in the soil. These resting spores are most likely to spread by contaminated soil carried from field to field by equipment, but can also be contributed to the movement of soil by water & wind erosion, soil in hay or straw, wildlife and humans.

3. What is the regulatory status of Clubroot?

Clubroot was added as a declared pest to the Agricultural Pests Act in April 2007. The owner or occupant of land has the responsibility of taking measures to prevent the establishment of any pest on land, property, and livestock, and to control or destroy all pests on the land or property. Enforcement of pest control measures is the responsibility of the municipal authority Kneehill County ASB. By virtue of the office, the Agricultural Fieldman is a pest inspector under the Agricultural Pests Act. Pest inspectors have the power to enter land at any reasonable hour, without permission, to inspect for pests and collect samples.

4. What control measures are in place for Clubroot?

Control measures for Clubroot are specified in the Alberta Clubroot Management Plan. It is important to understand that these control measures represent an acceptable minimum standard that is to be applied in all municipalities across the province. Municipalities, however, can adopt more stringent standards within their own jurisdictions.