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Clubroot Disease of Brassica species

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Chinese broccoli, Brassica oleraceae var alboglabra was diagnosed in the UD Plant Diagnostic Clinic  this week with clubroot, a disease caused by an oomycete fungus- like pathogen. Plasmodiophora can be found persisting in the soil and may be moved along with transplants. I have never seen this disease in the field. It affects all Brassica species, and the resting spores can remain in soil for 10 years or more. The swellings are the result of hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The plasmodia are in the plant cells in the swellings. Swimming zoospores can result in spread in wet soils. It is not a USDA regulated pathogen, but can be very problematic in agricultural soils where cabbage, broccoli, or kale is grown.
5/25/17 NFG

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About cmanneri

Christy is a graduate of the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware with a master's in Public Administration. She is the chief operating officer of a local non-profit, 3B Brae’s Brown Bags and a Communications Specialist for the University of Delaware. Her research interests include issues of social justice, such as nutritional insecurity, community re-entry, and domestic violence. She also volunteers with her local school district and has a deep passion for education policy, as she believes many social injustices stem from inequitable opportunities in education.