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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #311473

Title: Influence of harvest timing, fungicides, and BNYVV on sugar beet storage

Author
item Strausbaugh, Carl
item NEHER, OLIVER - Amalgamated Sugar Company
item REARICK, EUGENE - Amalgamated Research Inc
item Eujayl, Imad

Submitted to: Journal of Sugar Beet Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2015
Publication Date: 7/28/2015
Citation: Strausbaugh, C.A., Neher, O., Rearick, E., Eujayl, I.A. 2015. Influence of harvest timing, fungicides, and BNYVV on sugar beet storage. Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 52(1&2):117-118.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Root rots in sugar beet storage can lead to multi-million dollar losses because of reduced sucrose recovery. Thus, studies were conducted to establish better chemical control options and a better understanding of the fungi involved in storage rot. A water check and three fungicides (Mertect at 0.065 ml product/kg root, Propulse at 0.049 ml/kg, and Stadium 0.13 ml/kg) were investigated for their ability to control fungal rot on sugar beet roots held in long term storage during both the 2012 and 2013 storage seasons. At the end of September into October, roots were collected on five subsequent weeks, treated, and placed on top of a commercial indoor storage pile until early February. Both Propulse and Stadium performed well, by reducing fungal growth on roots versus the check by an average of 84 to 100% for roots collected the first three weeks both years. Both Propulse and Stadium performed well, by reducing root surface discoloration versus the check by an average of 75 to 100% with roots collected across all 5 weeks both years, except for 1 week in 2012 with Stadium. When compared to Mertect, both Propulse and Stadium reduced root surface discoloration by 50 to 100% and fungal growth by 46 to 67% when differences could be statistically proven. When compared to the check and Mertect, both Propulse and Stadium reduced sucrose loss by 14 to 46% when differences could be statistically proven. The predominant fungal pathogens were an Athelia-like sp., Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium spp., and Phoma betae. Propulse and Stadium should be considered further for root rot control in commercial sugar beet storage and on roots being held for seed production.