ARS | Publication request: First report of Fusarium yellows of sugar beet caused by F. oxysporum in Michigan.

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 15, 2006
Publication Date: November 16, 2006
Citation: Hanson, L.E. 2006. First report of Fusarium yellows of sugar beet caused by F. oxysporum in Michigan. Plant Disease. DOI:10.1094

Interpretive Summary: Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. betae, the primary causal agent of Fusarium yellows of sugar beet, was found in beets from Michigan. The disease has been a problem in the western United States, and has recently been reported in additional beet growing areas. The author reports identification of isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. betae from sugar beet from Michigan, a growing region not previously known to have this disease.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium yellows is an important disease in the western United States, and has recently been reported in the Red River Valley. The primary causal agent is Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. betae. In 2005, beet samples were found in Michigan with symptoms typical of Fusarium yellows. Isolates of Fusarium oxysporum were obtained from the majority of beets with yellows symptoms. A subset of these F. oxysporum isolates caused yellows-type symptoms on a susceptible sugar beet germplasm in greenhouse tests. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum f.sp. betae from sugar beet in the state of Michigan.