Relentless march of vrotpootjie

Warnings and guidance on how to control the destructive disease in wheatlands by rotational cropping. In certain of South Africa’s major producing areas, vrotpootjie or take-all has become a menace to wheat.

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It has assumed far larger proportions than the wheat grower’s old enemy, rust, and unless a determined effort is made to control the scourge on the farm, it could devastate wheat fields, particularly those in the Western Cape and Free State.

The leader of the research group into root diseases in wheat in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Pretoria, Dr DB Scott, says it is impossible to assess the yield damage caused by the disease, but in Western Australia, where growing conditions are similar to those in the Western Cape, losses are estimated at a staggering 25% to 30%. Losses of this magnitude in South Africa would have serious economic consequences.

ONLY DEFENCE

Experience has shown there is only one defence against the ravages of this virulent fungus scourge – crop rotation.