2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: Develop molecular genetic markers linked to sugarbeet chromosomal regions that confer improved resistance to pathogens. Objective 2: Develop agronomically-superior sugarbeet germplasm with resistance to Beet severe curly top virus (BSCTV). Objective 3: Determine the distribution and diversity of sugarbeet root rot organisms. Objective 4: Determine the effects of pathogens on sugarbeet post-harvest quality and storability. Objective 5: Develop innovative disease management options for BSCTV and root rot organisms. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Establish a sugarbeet research program in genetics and plant pathology using classical and molecular approaches to improve the sugarbeet genetics pool and disease management options, and enhance crop quality, productivity, yield, and profitability of production. 3.Progress Report: An important collection of varieties and germplasm were genotyped with DArT, EST, and SNP. These three marker systems were empirically evaluated for their effectiveness for varietal clustering and to genotype varieties and germplasm. New advanced germplasm was genotyped to identify genetic relatedness and select parental lines. All sugarbeet varieties available to Idaho growers over a three year period were genotyped with DArT to identify varieties susceptible to Rhizoctonia-bacterial root rot and which may contribute to losses in outdoor storage. Advanced populations were evaluated for various traits and field performance, toward meeting Objective 2. Plants are being grown to increase seed for multi-location and multi-trait testing of these populations. New progenies were evaluated for resistance to beet severe curly top virus (BSCTV). Research associated with the influence of conventional and strip tillage systems on Rhizoctonia root rot was completed. The research indicates that management for root rot should be the same in both systems since disease variables were similar in both tillage systems. Field, greenhouse, and storage studies to investigate cultivar selection for Rhizoctonia root rot were completed. Studies investigating the interaction between Rhizoctonia solani and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were conducted. The cultivar storage assay was successfully utilized to evaluate commercial and experimental cultivars for storability. Studies are currently under way to conduct additional assays. New studies are being conducted to understand the fundamental biology of a newly discovered basidiomycete fungus found with stored sugarbeet. Studies are being conducted to determine its biology, economic importance, and establish management options. Seed and foliar insecticide treatments were evaluated for the control of beet leafhoppers (vector for curly top virus) and other pests. The neonicotinoid seed treatment provided good control even under severe curly top conditions for at least 50 some days after planting. Additional studies are currently being conducted. 4.Accomplishments 1. Curly top resistant sugarbeet breeding line released. Public pure breeding lines in sugarbeet are rare but they are key to molecular genetics research. At Kimberly, Idaho, a doubled haploid line (DHL) was produced and released as a genetic stock (KDH13 = PI663862). KDH13 is highly resistant to the three curly top virus species found in U.S. sugarbeet. It can serve as a parental line for transferring curly top resistance gene(s) to varieties that lack this level of resistance. 2. Sugarbeet mutants generated to increase diversity for genetic research. A bottle neck in sugarbeet genetic diversity is eminent. Using the facilities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA-Vienna, Austria), germplasm from Kimberly, Idaho, sugarbeet program was irradiated with gamma-radiation to obtain more than a thousand mutants. These mutants will broaden the genetic resource available for identifying disease resistance and desirable traits. Review Publications Strausbaugh, C.A., Rearick, E., Eujayl, I.A., Foote, P. 2011. Influence of rhizoctonia-bacterial root rot complex on storability of sugarbeet. Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 48(3&4):155-180. Toda, T., Strausbaugh, C.A., Rodriquez-Carres, M., Cubeta, M.A. 2012. Characterization of a basidiomycete fungus from stored sugar beet roots. Mycologia. 104(1):70-78. Simko, I., Eujayl, I.A., Van Hintum, Jl, T. 2012. Empirical evaluation of DArT, SNP, and SSR marker-systems for genotyping, clustering, and assigning sugar beet hybrid varieties into populations. Plant Science. 184:54-62. Strausbaugh, C.A., Wenninger, E.J., Eujayl, I.A. 2012. Management of severe curly top in sugar beet with insecticides. Plant Disease. 96:1159-1164. Strausbaugh, C.A., Eujayl, I.A., Rearick, E., Foote, P. 2011. Experimental sugar beet cultivars evaluated for rhizomania resistance and storability in Idaho, 2010. Plant Disease Management Reports. DOI:5:FC101 DOI:10.1094/PDMR05. Strausbaugh, C.A., Eujayl, I.A., Rearick, E., Foote, P. 2011. Commercial sugar beet cultivars evaluated for rhizomania resistance and storability in Idaho, 2010. Plant Disease Management Reports. Report5:FC102 DOI:10.1094/PDMR05.