Clubroot resistance in canola and brassica vegetable cultivars in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Clubroot, caused by the obligate pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, has been present on brassica vegetables in Ontario for decades, but was only recently identified on canola (Brassica napus L.). Once P. brassicae is present in a field, eradication is difficult, but resistant cultivars can provide effective management. Pathotype 6 has been the predominant pathotype on vegetable crops for decades, but pathotype 2 is predominant in canola fields in Ontario. Field trials were used to assess the reaction of selected canola and vegetable Brassica cultivars to pathotype 2, and controlled environment studies were conducted to evaluate the reaction of the same cultivars to pathotypes 2 and 6. Four canola cultivars with putative clubroot resistance were compared with two cultivars that were expected to be susceptible and three susceptible control cultivars. Several brassica vegetables were assessed: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, napa cabbage, rutabaga, and Shanghai pak choi (a susceptible control). The canola cultivars marketed as resistant were highly resistant in both the field and growth room trials. The canola cultivars not marketed as resistant were susceptible to pathotype 2, as expected. All of the canola cultivars were resistant to pathotype 6. The vegetable cultivars marketed as resistant or tolerant were resistant to pathotype 6 and most were resistant to pathotype 2. A putative resistant cultivar of cabbage and one of broccoli were resistant to pathotype 6 but susceptible to pathotype 2. Clubroot consistently reduced fresh shoot weight in susceptible cultivars of canola and brassica vegetables relative to resistant cultivars.