Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224189
Title: Sugar beet cultivar selection for storability and rhizomania resistance

Author
item Strausbaugh, Carl
item REARICK, E - AMALGAMATED RESEARCH INC
item Eujayl, Imad
item FOOT, P - AMALGAMATED SUGAR CO

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2008
Publication Date: 7/25/2008
Citation: Strausbaugh, C.A., Rearick, E., Eujayl, I.A., Foot, P. 2008. Sugar beet cultivar selection for storability and rhizomania resistance. Phytopathology. 98:S152.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sucrose loss from sugar beet in storage can result from respiration, fungal growth, and the influence of field infection with diseases such as rhizomania caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV). Studies were initiated in an effort to reduce storage losses and improve resistance to BNYVV through establishing a cultivar selection program. In 2006, 32 commercial sugar beet cultivars were grown near Paul, ID in soil naturally infested with BNYVV. At harvest on 6 Oct, three 8-beet samples from each plot were collected. Two samples were used to establish percent sugar at harvest and the other sample was placed on an indoor pile (set point 2 C) in a randomized complete block design with 4 reps in Paul, ID. On 5 Mar 2007 (150 days in storage), rhizomania ratings for cultivars ranged from 1 to 5.8 (0 = healthy and 9 = dead) and sucrose reduction ranged from 13 to 90%. Root area covered by an undescribed basidiomycete on 1 Feb 2007 ranged from 8 to 81%. Cultivars that retained the most sucrose had resistance to BNYVV, the least fungal growth, and good storability. Sugar beet cultivar selection using an indoor storage facility will likely prove to be an important tool for improving resistance to BNYVV and reducing sucrose losses in storage.