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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sugarbeet and Potato Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #304187
Title: Postharvet losses associated with Rhizoctonia crown and root rot of sugarbeet

Author
item Campbell, Larry
item WINDELS, CAROL - University Of Minnesota
item Fugate, Karen
item BRANTNER, J - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: Journal of Sugar Beet Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2014
Publication Date: 10/1/2014
Citation: Campbell, L.G., Windels, C.E., Fugate, K.K., Brantner, J.R. 2014. Postharvest losses associated with severity of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot of sugarbeet at harvest. Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 51(1-2):31:51.

Interpretive Summary: In some regions, the prevalence and severity of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot (RCRR) of sugarbeet has increased in recent years. Hence, more diseased roots are destined for storage piles. To investigate the effect of RCRR severity on postharvest storage losses, roots with similar disease symptoms were placed in groups and extractable sucrose, invert sugar, and respiration rate were determined 30 and 90 days after harvest (DAH). The respiration rate of roots 30 DAH with ratings of three, four, and five was 22, 92, and 213%, respectively, greater than roots with a two rating; 90-DAH respiration rate increases of 17, 84, and 201% were associated with ratings of three, four and five. The extractable sucrose concentration 30 DAH of roots with ratings of three, four, and five was 4, 14, and 29% less than roots with a two rating. Compared to roots with a two rating, 90-DAH decreases in extractable sucrose concentration of 4, 16, and 35% were associated with ratings of three, four and five. Invert sugar concentrations of roots with ratings of four and five were 3.3 and 10.8 times the concentration of roots with a three rating, 30 DAH. Roots with ratings of four and five had 6.6 and 26.1 times the invert sugar of roots with a three rating 90 DAH. Differences in respiration rate, extractable sucrose concentration, and invert sugar concentration between healthy roots and roots with high disease ratings within a variety was not related to the resistance level of the variety. However, the resistance level of a variety has considerable impact on the frequency and severity of roots with RCRR.

Technical Abstract: As the prevalence of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot (RCRR) increases, more diseased sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) roots are destined for storage piles. To investigate the effect of RCRR on storage properties, roots with similar symptoms were grouped and extractable sucrose, invert sugar, and respiration were determined 30 and 90 days after harvest (DAH). The respiration rate of roots 30 DAH with ratings of three, four, and five was 22, 92, and 213%, respectively, greater than roots with a two rating; 90-DAH respiration rate increases of 17, 84, and 201% were associated with ratings of three, four and five. The extractable sucrose concentration 30 DAH of roots with ratings of three, four, and five was 4, 14, and 29% less than roots with a two rating. Compared to roots with a two rating, 90-DAH decreases in extractable sucrose concentration of 4, 16, and 35% were associated with ratings of three, four and five. Invert sugar concentrations of roots with ratings of four and five were 3.3 and 10.8 times the concentration of roots with a three rating, 30 DAH. Roots with ratings of four and five had 6.6 and 26.1 times the invert sugar of roots with a three rating 90 DAH. Differences in respiration rate, extractable sucrose concentration, and invert sugar concentration between healthy roots and roots with high disease ratings within a variety was not related to the resistance level of the variety. However, the resistance level of a variety has considerable impact on the frequency and severity of roots with RCRR.