Seed decisions: Economics of a CR variety

Growers have more choice when it comes to clubroot resistant (CR) varieties, but head to head in non-clubroot infested fields, some of these CR varieties may not match the yield potential of top varieties from the same company. So is choosing a CR variety in a clubroot fringe area giving up yield today for disease management tomorrow?

Maybe. BUT…

CR varieties deployed now to keep clubroot levels low is part of a long-term management approach to keep clubroot from ever reaching yield-damaging levels. CR varieties are recommended if growers are in communities where or near where clubroot is known to exist AND they:

—Have not thoroughly checked their canola plants for clubroot symptoms.
—Have not done a soil test to see if the resting spores are present.
—Produce canola in a short rotation even though it is known to increase risk that clubroot will build to yield-damaging levels.

If growers are in at-risk areas for clubroot and they actively monitor for the disease, they could stick with non-CR varieties until soil tests or field symptoms indicate the presence of clubroot on their farms or immediately adjacent.

CR canola varieties are the dominant choice in central Alberta, given that clubroot has reached yield-damaging levels in many fields through this area. AFSC’s Yield Alberta 2016 shows market-share and yield results for CR varieties in these risk areas.

Links:

—VIDEO describing how clubroot infection occurs.
—Clubroot and variety selection
—Clubroot.ca management steps includes a list of CR varieties.