Recognize, prevent and react correctly in the event of an infestation

the essentials in brief

• Carbonic hernia is a fungal plant disease that mainly affects cabbage plants and other cruciferous vegetables.
• The tuber-like thickened roots are characteristic, and infested plants also wilt.
• The fungus lives in the soil, which is why it is essential to take a break of three to five years after growing cabbage.
• There are no direct ways to combat it, only preventive measures.

What is cabbage hernia?

Cabbage hernia is a common fungal disease found in cruciferous vegetables. The cause is a slime mold with the scientific name Plasmodiophora brassicae, which lives in the soil and forms permanent spores there. These last up to 20 years at once infected locations. The fungus penetrates through the roots and primarily allows the underground parts of the plant to grow in an uncontrolled manner. The resulting bulbous thickenings in turn damage the ducts of the Growths and ensure that the plant is no longer adequately supplied with water and nutrients is supplied. Infested plants often wilt and die.

Which plants are particularly affected?

All types of cabbage, particularly kohlrabi and Brussels sprouts, are particularly affected by cabbage hernia. Broccoli, cauliflower, red and white cabbage, savoy cabbage, kale or Chinese cabbage are also attacked. But not only cabbage, other vegetables and ornamental plants are also endangered if they belong to the cruciferous family. These include, for example:

• Rapeseed
• mustard
• Rocket, garlic rocket
• cress
• radish
• Gold lacquer
• Barbara herb
• Silver leaf

Recognizing carbonic hernia - damage and symptoms

The best way to recognize clubheads is by the thickened roots

The coal hernia pathogen feels particularly comfortable in moist and warm soil, especially when the pH value is still in the acidic range. In this environment the slime mold finds the best living conditions and multiplies abundantly. Its extremely hard-wearing spores survive up to 20 years in the earth - which is why the disease, once it has occurred, can break out again after many years.

You can recognize an infection with Plasmodiophora brassicae by these characteristics:

• poor growth of the infested cruciferous plant
• wilting, yellowing leaves
• drooping leaves on warm days
• tuberous, thickened roots

If you suspect a clubroot, dig up one of the supposedly diseased plants and check its roots: these are typically thickened in the shape of a bulb or a cylinder.

Digression

Confused with cabbage weevil and other pests

Can you prevent clubroot?

Cabbage must not be too moist and must be adequately supplied with nutrients

Since the clubhead is very difficult to deal with once it has broken out, the main thing you need to focus on is effective prevention. This primarily includes two strategies:

• Optimize location and soil
• Crop rotation note

Regarding the first point, it should be said that the clubwort spreads mainly on damp soils. Make sure that there is good drainage so that the soil always dries well and is not permanently wet. For growing cabbage plants, you should also prefer well-drained, sandy soils, whereby you should These must not forget regular fertilization - cabbage is a heavy hog and needs a lot Nutrient.

You can also use a simple strip test to check the pH value of the soil and, if necessary, raise it by liming - preferably to the alkaline range. Liming not only helps preventive against clubhead, but also provides the vegetable plants with an important nutrient. This has proven itself Garden lime, but also Primary rock meal.

With regard to crop rotation, please note that on a bed where you have grown cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables, no further cabbage or cabbage crops for the next three to five years. Cruciferous plants may be cultivated. If this is not possible due to a lack of space, for example, bring one after the harvest Green manure (no rapeseed and no mustard!) and then bring plenty of it humus - for example in the form of ripe compost - from. Both help to keep the amount of fungal spores as low as possible. Plants and crop residues that have been infected with coal hernia do not belong in the compost heap, but always in the residual waste.

Are there any resistant types of cabbage?

The following types of cabbage are currently listed as resistant to cabbage hernia: 'Clapton F1' (cauliflower), 'Kilaton F1' and 'Kikaxy F1' (both white cabbage), 'Crispus' (Brussels sprouts) as well as 'Autumn Fun F1' and 'Orient Surprise F1' (both Chinese cabbage).

Fight clubroot - These remedies will help

It is not possible to directly combat the coal hernia. However, you should immediately pull infested plants out of the ground together with their roots and dispose of them with household waste.

frequently asked Questions

Is it still possible to eat a cabbage that has been infected with a club head?

Yes, in principle it is possible - but only the parts of the plant that have not yet been infected by the fungus. Cut away all affected parts generously and cook the remaining cabbage well.

Aren't there any chemical remedies that can help against clubhead?

No, currently there are no pesticides that are effective against clubroot and that are approved for home or hobby gardens. Sulfur, copper or Broad spectrum fungicides have no effect.