Clubroot Disease ( Plasmodiophora brassicae ) as a Threat to Worldwide Rapeseed or Canola (Brassica napus)

Abstract The clubroot disease is a devastating threat to Brassica crops throughout many parts of the world. Recently, it has become more prevalent in several European countries, particularly in rapeseed (canola, Brassica napus ). The disease is difficult to control and only a few chemical treatments are available. The majority of control approaches focus on hygiene, crop rotation and in particular resistant cultivars. However, such resistance often relies on single genes and is rarely employed in Europe. Other possibilities include the exploitation of biocontrol agents, which have not yet proven effective in combating this disease. Rapeseed is not the only crop susceptible to the soilborne protist Plasmodiophora brassicae (Kingdom Chromista), but it may account for a large proportion of the commercial cash crops. Since the protist cannot be cultivated outside of its host, research relies on either investigating interactions with the host or using heterologous expression systems, which will not be discussed here. In this case study, a worldwide perspective on infested rapeseed plants that pose a threat to clubroot dissemination is presented. The complex life cycle is discussed, as well as possible control strategies such as breeding or interactions with beneficial microbes. Information © The Author 2024