Club Root

Garden Problems

Club root is a fungal disease of the roots of brassicas, including cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and swede.

Identify the problem
Above ground affected plant will have stunted growth, purplish foliage and wilting in hot weather, which may recover in wet conditions. Underground the root system becomes swollen and distorted, with a loss of fine roots. Growth and yield are greatly reduced and badly affected plants may die.
How to solve the problem
There are no chemical controls for club root disease.
Prevention is better than cure:
- Take great care to buy brassicas from a guaranteed club root-free source. And chose resistant cultivars where possible.
- Give plants a good start by growing them on in healthy soil to a larger than normal size before planting out.
- Beware of spreading contaminated soil on tools, barrows or footwear.
- Raise the soil pH by applying lime to the soil.
- Improve drainage.
- Keep down susceptible weeds like shepherd’s purse, charlock, wild radish.
Did you know?
- The causative agent of club root, Plasmodiophora brassicae is loosely described as a fungus but is in fact more closely related to the slime moulds.