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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #310994
Title: Influence of harvest timing, fungicides, and Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus on sugar beet storage

Author
item Strausbaugh, Carl
item NEHER, OLIVER - Amalgamated Sugar Company
item REARICK, EUGENE - Amalgamated Research Inc
item Eujayl, Imad

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2015
Publication Date: 10/6/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61627
Citation: Strausbaugh, C.A., Neher, O., Rearick, E., Eujayl, I.A. 2015. Influence of harvest timing, fungicides, and Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus on sugar beet storage. Plant Disease. 99:1296-1309.

Interpretive Summary: Sugar beet roots are typically stored for long periods of time in outdoor piles or storage buildings, since factories do not have the capacity to direct process the whole crop at harvest time. However, storing roots for long periods to time under ambient conditions can lead to million dollar losses because of fungal rot and consequently reduced sucrose recovery. In an effort to reduce fungal rots in storage and increase sucrose retention, studies were conducted to establish better chemical control options and a better understanding of the fungi involved in the rot complex. Through these studies, two fungicides (Propulse and Stadium) were established as being effective for reducing fungal growth and rot on the root surface. These products also reduced sucrose losses by 22 to 34% when differences could be statistically proven. The predominant fungal pathogens identified on the root surface and in rotted tissue were an Athelia-like sp., Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium spp., and Phoma betae. Based on the positive results from these studies, these two fungicides should be considered for root rot control in commercial sugar beet storage and on roots being held for seed production.

Technical Abstract: Root rots in sugar beet storage can lead to million dollar losses because of reduced sucrose recovery. Thus, studies were conducted to establish better chemical control options and a better understanding of the fungi involved in the rot complex. A water check and three fungicides (Mertect, Propulse, and Stadium) were investigated for their ability to control fungal rot on sugar beet roots held in long term storage during both the 2012 and 2013 storage seasons. At the end of September into October, roots were collected on five subsequent weeks, treated, and placed on top of a commercial indoor storage pile until early February. Both Propulse and Stadium performed well, by reducing fungal growth and rot on roots versus the check by an average of 84 to 100% for roots collected the first three weeks both years. When compared to the check and Mertect, both Propulse and Stadium reduced sucrose loss by 22 to 34% when differences could be statistically proven. The predominant fungal pathogens were an Athelia-like sp., Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium spp., and Phoma betae. Propulse and Stadium should be considered further for root rot control in commercial sugar beet storage and on roots being held for seed production.