Diseases

Ramularia leaf spot of sugar beet

Beta vulgaris Sugar Beet Group

A fungal disease of sugar beet caused by the pathogen Ramularia beticola, affecting mainly older leaves and appearing as light-colored spots with a silvery-gray bloom.

In the reference 40 varieties crop Sugar beet, where this is mentioned in the description.

The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Ramularia beticola. The disease manifests itself primarily on mature sugar beet leaves as irregular spots ranging from 4–7 to 15 mm in size, which are light green and later grayish-white in color. A key diagnostic feature is the presence of a silvery-gray or white bloom on the affected areas, representing the conidial sporulation of the pathogen.

The development of Ramularia leaf spot is favored by high humidity and moderately cool temperatures in the range of 16–20°C, which distinguishes it from Cercospora leaf spot, which typically develops under warmer conditions. Specific pathogen races and sugar beet resistance genes to this disease have not yet been identified; therefore, breeding efforts are based on field assessment of infection intensity and the selection of tolerant genotypes.

General information about the subject — on the page Ramularia leaf spot.

Sources8

Varieties of Sugar beet mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.