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ARS Home » Midwest Area » East Lansing, Michigan » Sugarbeet and Bean Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #112379
Title: REDUCTION OF SUGARBEET LOSSES FROM RHIZOCTONIA CROWN AND ROOT ROT BY USE OFMIXTURES OF RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE VARIETIES

Author
item Halloin, John
item JOHNSON, DAVID - MICHIGAN ST UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Crown and root rot of sugarbeets caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 causes extensive yield losses in the Michigan sugarbeet crop. Disease-resistant varieties are available, but generally are not used because disease occurrences are difficult to predict and susceptible varieties provide higher yields than resistant ones with low disease pressure. We investigated the use of variety mixtures to control disease and to minimiz yield losses. Various mixtures of a resistant (RH3) and a susceptible (E17) sugarbeet variety were planted in 1998 and 1999, monitored for disease occurrence during the growing season, and harvested for yield. Disease and associated yield losses decreased with increasing proportions of RH3 in the mixture. Variety mixtures containing 1/6 to 1/3 of RH3 provided optimal yields in field plots with disease pressure, and yields were comparable to the susceptible check (E17) under disease-free conditions.