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ARS Home » Midwest Area » East Lansing, Michigan » Sugarbeet and Bean Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #358731
Research Project: Genetic Characterization for Sugar Beet Improvement

Location: Sugarbeet and Bean Research

Title: Beet anthracnose from sugar beet in Michigan

Author
item Hanson, Linda
item WILLBUR, JAMIE - Michigan State University
item BYRNE, JAN - Michigan State University

Submitted to: Journal of Sugar Beet Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2019
Publication Date: 2/28/2019
Citation: Hanson, L.E., Willbur, J.F., Byrne, J. 2019. Beet anthracnose from sugar beet in Michigan [abstract]. Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 56:83.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Starting in 2016, sugar beet samples with unusual symptoms were received at the Michigan State University Diagnostic Services and the sugar beet pathology labs. Seedlings with atypical stunting and foliar discoloration were received in the spring of 2016; a Colletotrichum species was isolated from these seedlings. Stunting and foliar discoloration symptoms were reproduced on sugar beet when greenhouse grown USDA germplasm was inoculated. Later in the season, and again in 2017 and 2018, leaf samples were received with lesions that had acervuli. Particularly distinctive were oblong lesions on the petiole. An identical Colletotrichum species was isolated from these samples. The fungus from both seedlings and adult plant leaves was identified as Colletotrichum dematium based on morphology. Colletotrichum dematium has been reported to cause beet anthracnose on sugar beet in Japan and on table beet in Canada. The pathogen causes anthracnose on other crops, including spinach in various parts of the world. To our knowledge C. dematium has not been previously reported on beets (sugar or table) in the United States. Genetic classification of the isolates is ongoing.