Cargill confirms presence of soil born pathogen clubroot on canola plants at two locations in North Central Saskatchewan, Canada

Andrew Rogers

WINNIPEG, Canada , October 26, 2011 (press release) – Cargill today confirmed identifying canola plants that have tested positive for the presence of Plasmodiophora brassicae, the soil born pathogen commonly known as clubroot, in two disease observation nurseries in Saskatchewan.

While evaluating plants at two locations in North Central SK, Cargill plant scientists observed nodules on certain canola plants. There were no above ground symptoms, and the nodules were observed only because the plants were pulled from the ground for whole-plant observation.

Plant root tissue and soil samples from this site were sent by Cargill to an independent lab for analysis. An analysis of plant tissue samples, using a DNA test, were positive for the presence of the clubroot pathogen.

In accordance with the Saskatchewan Pest Control Act, Cargill has restricted access to the location where the affected plants were found.

“Upon discovering the presence of clubroot, we notified grain growers and owners of lands around the disease observation nurseries and provided them with the guidance and resources they required to manage the issue in a timely and cautious manner,” said Lorin DeBonte, assistant vice president, Research and Development for Cargill Specialty Canola.

In an abundance of caution, Cargill is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Canola Council of Canada and the impacted grain growers and landowners to manage the confirmed sites in accordance with the Saskatchewan clubroot management plan.

“Cargill strives to ensure the highest safety, health and environmental standards. Our practices include actively developing disease management plans for canola stakeholders,” DeBonte added.

Cargill continues to maintain clubroot management protocols in accordance with the Canola Council of Canada clubroot initiatives in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to continually improve sanitation processes for trialing and equipment.

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