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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #82888
Title: CERCOSPORA CONTROL: HOW RESEARCH HAS HELPED WITH VARIETIES.

Author
item Panella, Leonard

Submitted to: Sugar Producer Magazine
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Cercospora leaf spot is a sugarbeet leaf disease caused by the fungus, Cercospora beticola. It has always been an intermittent problem in sugar- beet growing areas where the summers can be hot and humid (Red River Valley Michigan, Ohio and less often, the Great Plains). A severe epidemic can cause up to a 42% loss of gross sugar, which can mean up to a 43% relative dollar loss. Because of the importance of leaf spot across the United States, all of the ARS programs work together in germplasm development. We at Fort Collins, are working with Dr. Bob Lewellen in Salinas to develop leaf spot resistant germplasm that also has Rhizomania resistance, with Drs. Garry Smith and Larry Campbell in Fargo to develop germplasm with resistance to leaf spot and root maggot, and with Drs. Joe Saunders and Mitch McGrath in East Lansing to develop germplasm with resistance to leaf spot and Aphanomyces.

Technical Abstract: Cercospora leaf spot is a sugarbeet leaf disease caused by the fungus, Cerospora beticola. It has always been an intermittent problem in sugar- beet growing areas where the summers can be hot and humid (Red River Valley Michigan, Ohio and less often, the Great Plains). A severe epidemic can cause up to a 42% loss of gross sugar, which can mean up to a 43% relative dollar loss. Because of the importance of leaf spot across the United States, all of the ARS programs work together in germplasm development. We at Fort Collins, are working with Dr. Bob Lewellen in Salinas to develop leaf spot resistant germplasm that also has Rhizomania resistance, with Drs. Garry Smith and Larry Campbell in Fargo to develop germplasm with resistance to leaf spot and root maggot, and with Drs. Joe Saunders and Mitch McGrath in East Lansing to develop germplasm with resistance to leaf spot and Aphanomyces.