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High sugar beet disease pressure warning in UK
Jul. 8, 2014
As the mild winter sent cereal diseases spiralling, it has also allowed the over-winter survival of sugar beet diseases, particularly powdery mildew.
The powdery mildew forecast for 2013 predicted the disease would affect just 8.9% of the national crop after a very cold winter that included about 50 ground frosts.
However, British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) lead scientist Mark Stevens warns this season is in complete contrast, as just 18 ground frosts were recorded ahead of the 2014 crop being drilled.
“The relatively high forecast of 52% for 2014 means growers need to keep an eye out for powdery mildew and the relatively warm and dry conditions we have had are ideal for disease development,” he adds.
There have been no reports of powdery mildew so far this season, but some rust pustules have been found in beet crops across East Anglia.
Dr Stevens says growers must remember that sugar beet fungicide product labels require disease symptoms in the crop before they can be applied.
“We are not encouraging everyone to spray yet, but check your crops and BBRO bulletins and as soon as symptoms are seen, treat with an appropriate fungicide,” he says.
The main sugar beet fungicides all offer broad-spectrum activity on powdery mildew, rust and the less common cercospera, but Dr Stevens advises using a full label rate for the first spray for maximum disease control.
“Getting optimum disease control from that first spray will give growers peace of mind as they head into a very busy cereal harvest period,” he adds.
- Escolta – cyproconazole + trifloxystrobin
- Priori Extra – azoxystrobin + cyproconazole
- Spyrale – difenoconazole + fenpropidin
- Opera – epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin
Source: Farmers Weekly
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