Research Project: Improving Sugarbeet Productivity and Sustainability through Genetic, Genomic, Physiological, and Phytopathological Approaches

Location: Sugarbeet Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Making 'scents' of how plants volatiles influence agriculturally-important insects: a review - (Review Article)

Development of an improved Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and callus-based regeneration system for sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Khan, Z., Hathaway, T., Chu, C.N., Wyatt, N.A., Bolton, M.D., Ramachandran, V. 2025. Development of an improved Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and callus-based regeneration system for sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.). Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. 163:30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-025-03230-z.

Genome-wide analysis of SWEET and TST sugar transporters in sugarbeet: Structural characterization and expression during development and postharvest storage - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Biomarkers of rotted sugar beet: A low-temperature volatile organic compounds analysis framework using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Low concentrations of chlorine dioxide gas reduce postharvest diseases and improve storage quality of sugarbeet - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dangi, S., Herges, G.R., Eide, J.D., Fugate, K.K., Bolton, M.D., Liu, Z., Smith, D.J., Kandel, S.L. 2025. Low concentrations of chlorine dioxide gas reduce postharvest diseases and improve storage quality of sugarbeet. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113830.

Automated detection of center-pivot irrigation systems from remote sensing imagery using deep learning - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bazrafkan, A., Kim, J.Y., Proulx, R., Lin, Z. 2025. Automated detection of center-pivot irrigation systems from remote sensing imagery using deep learning. Remote Sensing. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17132276.

Sugarbeet roots respond to injury with rapid, intense upregulation of glycolytic and fermentative genes and enzymatic activities - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fugate, K.K., Morin, M., Eide, J.D., Finger, F. 2025. Sugarbeet roots respond to injury with rapid, intense upregulation of glycolytic and fermentative genes and enzymatic activities. Scientific Reports. 15.Article 420459. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05186-8.

First report of Orthotospovirus iridimaculaflavi (Iris yellow spot virus) and Becurtovirus spinaciae (Spinach curly top Arizona virus) in sugarbeet in Idaho, United States - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ramachandran, V., Chinnadurai, C., Hyon, C., Neher, O., Weiland, J., Bolton, M.D. 2025. First report of Orthotospovirus iridimaculaflavi (Iris yellow spot virus) and Becurtovirus spinaciae (Spinach curly top Arizona virus) in sugarbeet in Idaho, United States. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0105-PDN.

Indirect plant defense may provide economically important pest suppression in sorghum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Russavage, E.M., Helms, A.M., Thompson, M.N., Szczepaniec, A., Rooney, W.L., Kerns, D.L., Eubanks, M.D. 2025. Indirect plant defense may provide economically important pest suppression in sorghum. Pest Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8813.

Polyyne production is regulated by the transcriptional regulators PgnC and GacA in Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Satellite remote sensing on crop fields - (Popular Publication)
Kim, J.Y. 2025. Satellite remote sensing on crop fields. Resource Magazine. 32(2):4-6. https://bt.e-ditionsbyfry.com/publication/?i=842435.

Evaluation of 26 NPGS germplasm lines for sugar beet root maggot resistance, 2024 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chu, C.N., Cornwall, A.M., Tehseen, M., Preister, L.S., Boetel, M., Li, X., Dorn, K.M. 2025. Evaluation of 26 NPGS germplasm lines for sugar beet root maggot resistance, 2024. Arthropod Management Tests. https://doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsaf017.

Genome-wide evidence of host specialization in wild and farmland populations of the Cercospora leaf spot pathogen, Cercospora beticola - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Taliadoros, D., Potgieter, L., Dhiman, A., Mcmullan, M., Wyatt, N.A., Jung, C., Bolton, M.D., Stukenbrock, E. 2025. Genome-wide evidence of host specialization in wild and farmland populations of the Cercospora leaf spot pathogen, Cercospora beticola. Genome Biology and Evolution. 17:4. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaf053.

Monitoring for rhizomania: keeping an eye on resistance-breaking strains of beet necrotic yellow vein virus - (Trade Journal)
Ramachandran, V., Bolton, M.D., Neher, O. 2025. Monitoring for rhizomania: keeping an eye on resistance-breaking strains of beet necrotic yellow vein virus. Amalgamated Sugarbeet Grower Journal. Sugarbeet Edition 2025 pg. 20-23.

Fungal and bacterial species associated with storage diseases in sugarbeets from the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bill, M., Bruni, G., Adhikari, S., Fugate, K.K., Qi, Y., Khan, M., Liu, Z., Kandel, S.L. 2025. Fungal and bacterial species associated with storage diseases in sugarbeets from the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota. Plant Disease. 109(8):1702-1712.. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2188-RE.

Suppressing Tymovirus replication using a variant of ubiquitin - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Seed treatments, in-furrow fungicides, and in-furrow biocontrol agents in sugar beet for the control of rhizoctonia crown and root rot in Northwest Minnesota, 2024 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lien, A.K., Kandel, S.L., Chanda, A. 2025. Seed treatments, in-furrow fungicides, and in-furrow biocontrol agents in sugar beet for the control of rhizoctonia crown and root rot in Northwest Minnesota, 2024. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-12-24-0136-PDMR.

Open-source software for satellite-based crop health monitoring - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kim, J.Y. 2024. Open-source software for satellite-based crop health monitoring. Journal of Biosystems Engineering. 49:419-433.. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42853-024-00242-z.

Sugar beet root susceptibility to storage rots and downregulation of plant defense genes increases with time in storage - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kandel, S.L., Eide, J.D., Firrincieli, A., Finger, F., Lafta, A., Fugate, K.K. 2024. Sugar beet root susceptibility to storage rots and downregulation of plant defense genes increases with time in storage. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78323-4.

Detection of irrigation systems in North Dakota using the Mask R-CNN deep learning model and Landsat 8 imagery - (Abstract Only)

Continental-scale insights into the sugarbeet diffusion juice microbiomes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kandel, S.L., Bill, M., Eide, J.D., Fugate, K.K., Bolton, M.D. 2024. Continental-scale insights into the sugarbeet diffusion juice microbiomes. Microbiology Spectrum. 12(11). https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01093-24.

Whole genome sequencing of Leuconostoc suionicum and L. pseudomesenteroides isolates extracted from sugar beet roots - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kandel, S.L., Strausbaugh, C.A., Bill, M., Adhikari, B., Hu, X. 2024. Whole genome sequencing of Leuconostoc suionicum and L. pseudomesenteroides isolates extracted from sugar beet roots. Microbiology Resource Announcements. Article e00727-24. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00727-24.

Meta-transcriptomic analysis reveals geographical expansion of known sugarbeet-infecting viruses and the occurrence of a novel virus in sugarbeet in the United States - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chinnadural, C., Wyatt, N.A., Weiland, J.J., Neher, O., Hasting, J., Bloomquist, M., Chu, C.N., Chanda, A., Khan, M., Bolton, M.D., Ramachandran, V. 2024. Meta-transcriptomic analysis reveals geographical expansion of known sugarbeet-infecting viruses and the occurrence of a novel virus in sugarbeet in the United States. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15. Article 1429402. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1429402.

Genetic drift, historic migration, and limited gene flow contributing to the subpopulation divergence in wild sea beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima (L.) Arcang) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tehssen, M., Wyatt, N.A., Bolton, M.D., Fugate, K.K., Preister, L.S., Ramachandran, V., Yang, S., Chu, C.N., Li, X. 2024. Genetic drift, historic migration, and limited gene flow contributing to the subpopulation divergence in wild sea beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima (L.) Arcang). PLOS ONE. 19(9):e0308626. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308626.

Storage duration, harvest injury, and fungal pathogens promote ethanol accumulation in postharvest sugarbeet roots - (Abstract Only)

Sugarbeet root storage conditions and plant genetics affect sugar transporter gene expression with likely effects on postharvest sucrose losses - (Abstract Only)

Transcriptional and enzymatic changes in carbohydrate metabolism in wounded sugarbeet taproots - (Abstract Only)

CbCyp51-mediated DMI resistance is modulated by codon bias - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bolton, M.D., Rangel, L., Wyatt, N.A., Courney, I., Natwick, M., Secor, G., Rivera-Veras, V. 2024. CbCyp51-mediated DMI resistance is modulated by codon bias. Phytopathology. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-01-24-0034-R.

Abiotic factors and sugarbeet storage pathogens promote ethanol accumulation in postharvest sugarbeet roots - (Abstract Only)

Genomic analysis of SWEET and TST sugar transporter gene families in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) - (Abstract Only)

Relationship of long-term storage and raffinose metabolism in sugarbeet - (Abstract Only)

Severe preharvest drought elevates respiration and storage rot in postharvest sugarbeet roots - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fugate, K.K., Lafta, A., Eide, J.D., Khan, M., Finger, F. 2024. Severe preharvest drought elevates respiration and storage rot in postharvest sugarbeet roots. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 210. Article e12718. https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12718.

CRISPR-Cas12a based diagnostic method for detecting single-stranded DNA virus, beet curly top virus in sugar beet - (Abstract Only)

High throughput sequencing analysis identified the coexistence of new and known viruses in sugar beet and red table beet under field conditions - (Abstract Only)

Occurrence and distribution of viruses associated with field-grown sugar beet using high throughput sequencing - (Abstract Only)

An alternative strategy to improve storage of sugarbeets - (Abstract Only)

Microbial profiling of raw diffusion juice from the factory processing of sugarbeet - (Abstract Only)

Autonomous four-wheel drive electric vehicle for site-specific weed control - (Abstract Only)

Weed identification using U-Net machine learning model and SAM segmentation - (Proceedings)
Kim, J.Y., Balamurugan, R., Tida, U., Vemuri, M. 2024. Weed identification using U-Net machine learning model and SAM segmentation. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Article 2401312. https://doi.org/10.13031/aim.202401312.

Satellite image analysis for crop health monitoring - (Abstract Only)

Evaluation of sugar beet breeding lines for resistance to Rhizoctonia crown and root rot, 2023 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lien, A., Chu, C.N., Chanda, A. 2024. Evaluation of sugar beet breeding lines for resistance to Rhizoctonia crown and root rot, 2023. Plant Disease Management Reports. Page:18. Article V002.

Changes in composition and metabolism of sugarbeet root cell walls during storage - (Abstract Only)

Transcriptomic and metabolomic changes in postharvest sugarbeet roots reveal widespread metabolic changes in storage and identify genes potentially responsible for respiratory sucrose loss - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fugate, K.K., Eide, J.D., Lafta, A., Tehseen, M., Chu, C.N., Khan, M., Finger, F. 2024. Transcriptomic and metabolomic changes in postharvest sugarbeet roots reveal widespread metabolic changes in storage and identify genes potentially responsible for respiratory sucrose loss. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15. Article 1320705. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1320705.

Modulatory role of nitric oxide in wound healing of potato tubers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dogramaci, M., Sarkar, D., Lulai, E.C. 2024. Modulatory role of nitric oxide in wound healing of potato tubers. Frontiers in Horticulture. 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhort.2024.1345461.

Beet soil-borne virus is a helper virus for the novel Beta vulgaris satellite virus 1A - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Weiland, J.J., Wyatt, N.A., Camelo, V., Spanner, R., Hladky, L.L., Ramachandran, V., Secor, G., Martin, F.N., Wintermantel, W.M., Bolton, M.D. 2024. Beet soil-borne virus is a helper virus for the novel Beta vulgaris satellite virus 1A. Phytopathology. 114(5):1126-1136.

DIY image analytics for UAS-based plant phenotyping - (Proceedings)
Kim, J.Y. 2023. DIY image analytics for UAS-based plant phenotyping. North American Plant Phenotyping Network Meeting. http://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.169868664.47571324/v1.

The complete and gapless genome of the sugarbeet pathogen Cercospora beticola - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wyatt, N.A., Spanner, R., Bolton, M.D. 2023. The complete and gapless genome of the sugarbeet pathogen Cercospora beticola. PhytoFrontiers. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-11-23-0146-A.

Relationship of long-term storage and raffinose metabolism in sugarbeet - (Abstract Only)