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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423317
Research Project: Decipher Molecular Mechanisms for Genetic Variations in Agronomically Important Traits to Improve Sugar Beet Disease Resistance and Yield

Location: Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research

Title: Foliar and seed treatment products for the control of beet curly top in Idaho sugar beet, 2024

Author
item Majumdar, Rajtilak
item Strausbaugh, Carl
item WENNINGER, ERIK - University Of Idaho

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/23/2025
Publication Date: 6/24/2025
Citation: Majumdar, R., Strausbaugh, C.A., Wenninger, E.J. 2025. Foliar and seed treatment products for the control of beet curly top in Idaho sugar beet, 2024. Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0042-PDMR.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0042-PDMR

Interpretive Summary: Sugar beet is highly susceptible to the beet curly top virus (BCTV) which significantly reduces sugar yield and is prevalent in semi-arid growing regions. Typical BCTV symptoms are leaf vein swelling, thickening, and curling leading to chlorosis and plant death. Insecticide seed treatments with neonicotinoids have been the primary management option, but neonicotinoids face regulatory restrictions due to environmental concerns. Thus, insecticides and biochemicals that are relatively safer to use were evaluated for efficacy against BCTV during the 2024 growing season. New treatment combinations consisting of Asana, jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate and their efficacy in reducing BCTV symptoms and increasing overall sugar yield identified in this work, can potentially be used by the growers to improve sugar beet BCTV management.

Technical Abstract: Beet curly top virus (BCTV) reduces sugar beet yield and sucrose production in semi-arid sugar beet growing regions. The virus is vectored by the beet leafhopper (BLH; Circulifer tenellus Baker). Control of BCTV in commercial production is primarily achieved by controlling the insect vector by using neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments. Neonicotinoids may be restricted in the future due to growing environmental concerns. Therefore, seven insecticide or biochemical treatments and three check treatments were evaluated for the control of beet curly top on the commercial sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivar B-74 (typical level of resistance to beet curly top virus [BCTV]). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with eight replications. The three check treatments included a non-treated check, a Poncho Beta (neonicotinoid) seed treatment check, and an Asana foliar treatment check. So far, Asana is the next best after Poncho in controlling BCTV symptoms in sugar beet. The current treatment strategy using Asana was therefore undertaken to see if the efficacy of Asana could be increased. The three treatments with the Poncho Beta seed treatment provided better control than the other treatments based on foliar ratings, root yield, and ERS. Adding Methyl Jasmonate and Jasmonic Acid to Asana improved root yield and estimated recoverable sucrose (ERS) by 22-24% compared to Asana alone. Other chemical combinations with or without Asana or alone did not improve variables. Additional evaluations with other insecticides will be needed if alternatives to the neonicotinoid chemical class for BCTV control are to be identified.