In the UK, clubroot is a major problem for oilseed rape cultivation. It is one of the key factors contributing to the decline in oilseed rape cropping, as farmers struggle to manage its long-term effects. Around 52% of oilseed rape fields are estimated to be infected, highlighting how widespread the issue has become. The impact can be severe, with yield losses ranging anywhere from 10 to 100 % depending on infection levels and conditions.
This article explores the findings of a recent attempt to suppress clubroot using a novel and sustainable resource, food wastes from crustaceans and the edible insect industry (Black Soldier Fly). These food wastes are rich in a biopolymer called chitin.
Caused by the soil-borne fungus-like protist Plasmodiophora brassicae, clubroot affects all brassica crops and has been a persistent challenge for growers for generations. It is not confined to one region but is reported in more than 88 countries, making it a global agricultural concern rather than just a UK issue.