Some recent feedback from our colleagues at Sakata suggests a resurgence of Brassica Stunting Disorder (BSD) in some areas.
Farmers are warned not to become complacent with their spraying programmes and general hygiene management around this disease, especially since we are entering winter when the aphid infection seems to be higher and more prevalent.
Brassica stunting disorder affects various Brassica species, but cabbages appear the most affected.
The disease is characterized by stunted plants, flattening and sometimes purpling of the leaves, side shoot development, vascular discoloration in the stem and/or midrib of leaves, poor root development, low yield and low quality of the final product, thereby reducing the market value.
The impact of BSD on cabbage production can be severe. If plants are infected at an early stage, their growth will be severely stunted and no head will be formed. If they are infected at a later stage, the size of the head produced will be greatly reduced and a black ring, due to vascular discoloration, will be clearly visible in the stem.