Developing an Effective Strategy for Management of Internal Discoloration of Horseradish Root

Project Overview

GNC07-074
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2007: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Grant Recipient: University of Illinois
Region: North Central
State: Illinois
Graduate Student:
Faculty Advisor:
Mohammad Babadoost
University of Illinois

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Vegetables: radishes (culinary)

Practices

  • Education and Training: extension
  • Pest Management: biological control, integrated pest management

    Proposal abstract:

    Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a root crop cultivated for its pungent, white fleshy roots. Approximately half of the total horseradish crops produced in the United States is grown in Illinois. Internal discoloration of horseradish roots, caused by Verticillium and Fusarium species, is a disease complex and is a serious threat to horseradish production as causing up to 100% yield losses. Use of fungicides and/or soil fumigation has been ineffective for control of this complex disease. Crop rotation alone is of limited value due wide host range of the pathogens and the pathogen’s resilient surviving bodies in soil indefinitely. Also, the pathogens are set-borne, which makes the ecology of the diseased more complicated and difficult to control. There are no commercial horseradish cultivars resistant or tolerant to the internal root discoloration available. Our preliminary studies showed that the set-born inoculum of the diseases can be eradicated by hot-water treatment (thermo-therapy). Also, plants grown from pathogen-free sets can be protected against soil-borne inoculum of the pathogens by application of a biofungicide, either G-41/ABM 127 (Trichoderma virens-G41/ABM 127 isolate) or SoilGard 12G (Trichoderma virens-12 G isolate), onto sets prior to planting. This is a two-year project to develop an effective strategy for management of the most internal discoloration of horseradish roots. The specific objectives of this research project are: (i) to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of thermo-therapy for control of set-borne inoculum of the internal root discoloration; (ii) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the biofungicides for control of the internal root discoloration; (iii) to demonstrate effectiveness of an IPM approach to solve the complex internal discoloration disease of horseradish root; and (iv) to establish a sustainable horseradish production system. The results of this research will be presented to growers, food processors, extension personnel, and at the regional and national meetings. Results also will be published in newsletters, websites, and refereed journals. Implementation of the results of this research is expected to be rapid and the growers will benefit from findings in this research.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    This is a two-year project to develop an effective strategy for management of the most internal discoloration of horseradish roots. The specific objectives of this research project are: (i) to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of thermo-therapy for control of set-borne inoculum of the internal root discoloration; (ii) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the biofungicides for control of the internal root discoloration; (iii) to demonstrate effectiveness of an IPM approach to solve the complex internal discoloration disease of horseradish root; and (iv) to establish a sustainable horseradish production system.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.