PestFacts WA

Fasciation found in canola and wild radish

• Toodyay
• Goomalling
• South Stirlings

In this canola plant, one of the stems is completely flattened, this condition is called fasciation. This particular stem is also showing sclerotinia infection. Photo courtesy of: Bec Swift (DPIRD)

Fasciation in canola has been observed by crop protection officer Bec Swift (DPIRD) and plant pathologist Jean Galloway (DPIRD) at Toodyay and at South Stirlings by plant pathologist Ravjit Khangura (DPIRD). Jean has also found it in wild radish plants at Goomalling.

Fasciation is a condition where flowering heads and in some instances lower stems get flattened and is also characterised by the presence of abundant flowers and pods on plants.

Fasciation is not common in canola, occasionally some odd plants are seen with this disorder. The actual cause of fasciation is unknown; it could be due to mutation or environmental factors.

Apparently some canola varieties are more susceptible than others to develop fasciation.

Fasciation is unlikely to impact canola yields. There is no known risk of carryover to subsequent canola crops.

For more information on fasciation see the department’s Diagnosing fasciation in canola page.

For more information on fasciation contact Ravjit Khangura, Plant pathologist, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3374 or Jean Galloway, Plant pathologist, Northam or +61 (0)8 9690 2172.