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ARS Home » Midwest Area » East Lansing, Michigan » Sugarbeet and Bean Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305755
Title: Storage rot in sugar beet: variable response over time and with different host germplasm

Author
item Hanson, Linda
item McGrath, Jon
item Goodwill, Tom
item SHAABAN, MONA - Michigan State University
item BEAUDRY, RANDY - Michigan State University

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2014
Publication Date: 11/1/2014
Citation: Hanson, L.E., McGrath, J.M., Goodwill, T.R., Shaaban, M., Beaudry, R.M. 2014. Storage rot in sugar beet: variable response over time and with different host germplasm [abstract]. Phytopathology. 104:S3.50.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) is commonly stored in outdoor piles prior to processing for food and animal feed. While in storage the crop is subject to multiple post-harvest rots. In the Michigan growing region, little loss due to storage rots is observed until beets have been in storage for several months. A recommendation to screen for resistance when beets had been stored for between 80 and 120 days was published 1970s, but there was little information about why this was recommended. Using USDA germplasm and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of sugar beet, materials were screened for their response to some fungal storage rots and for changes in response with varying length of storage. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in the amount of rot caused by pathogens in beets after different storage duration and in the response to various fungal pathogens. A poor correlation between reduced damage by different pathogenic genera suggests independent genetic control of susceptibility. Germplasm was identified that shows reduced damage with storage rot pathogens or a delay in development of extensive rot with several of the major storage rot pathogens. There is the potential to develop more resistant material to improve long term storage.