Influence of pH on the Clubroot Pathogen: Are There pH-Insensitive Strains?

Priorities
Agronomic Practices  Agronomy Research 
Start Date
2019
End Date
2022
Principal Investigator
Stephen Strelkov - University of Alberta
Co-Investigators
Sheau-Fang Hwang - University of Alberta
MCGA Funding
$97,750
Total Project Funding
$293,250
External Funding Partners
Alberta Canola, SaskCanola
Report
Project Ongoing...

Research Objective

  • Evaluate the pH sensitivity of important strains (aka pathotypes) of clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae)
  • Determine whether repeated exposure to higher pH conditions will change the pH sensitivity of clubroot
  • Develop recommendations using liming to manage clubroot

Project Description

Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) is a major source of disease in canola in Western Canada, particularly Alberta. One reason it has spread so quickly and prospered is most likely the acidic pH of the soil that encourages pathogen development. This study will look at the effects of increasing the soil pH, using methods such as liming, to help control the disease from spreading further by taking away this ideal environment for its growth. This method would be used in addition to genetic resistance, and would hopefully increase the longevity of resistant cultivars by slowing clubroot strain development. This is a promising technique but little is known about how clubroot will respond to increased soil pH and any potential risks associated with this, such as it developing strains resistant to higher pH environments. Liming can also be costly, so the method will have to show its merit. Complementary research about different rates and formulations of lime, its impact on volunteer and weed species, as well as long term effects will also be conducted.

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