(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Clubroot awareness

Local producers encouraged to scout for clubroot

Jul 18, 2019 | 2:00 PM

A small group of producers from the Prince Albert area were informed on Thursday that if they grow canola, they should be aware of clubroot.

Crop Extension Specialist Allie Noble was among the presenters at the annual Field Day, hosted by the Conservation Learning Centre. Noble acknowledged clubroot can be scary to talk about, but encouraged producers to report it.

“And that’s just because when we do get those reports in, that means that our map is a lot more accurate, and when we have an accurate map, that means we know exactly how much club root is in Saskatchewan and that’ll help with research that goes towards clubroot and funding,” she said.

Clubroot poses a serious threat to canola crops in Saskatchwan. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Last year, 43 fields in the province tested positive for clubroot. As part of its 2019 clubroot survey, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to test 1,800 fields across the province. An estimated 600 fields will be in Northern Saskatchewan where the canola eating disease was most prevalent last year.

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“In the south we are actually going to be doing more of a complete survey, much like the one that was done last year in the north, and based on risk there is going to be more heavy grid sampling in some areas,” she said.

Producers across the province will also be offered 850 free soil-testing kits this year, thanks to a funding partnership by Sask. Canola and the Ministry of Agriculture. There will be 70 kits available at the Ministry’s Prince Albert office at the Mcintosh Mall.

Signs of clubroot include wilting or yellowing, premature ripening, and strange patches. Noble said the best way to prevent club root from spreading is early detection through scouting.

“Any way we can limit the spread of clubroot and the amount of spores building up in the soil, is a win for us,” she said.

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Nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell