Christine Kenter

Population dynamics of Heterodera schachtii Schm. and yield response of susceptible and resistant sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) after cultivation of susceptible and resistant oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Heterodera schachtii is an important pest of sugar beet. Field trials to quantify yield responses of sugar beet varieties to H. schachtii or to assess the effect of variety on population dynamics of the nematode are difficult due to its patchy distribution in the field. The aim of the present study was to develop an experimental method to achieve a more homogeneous distribution of the nematode and to relate yield of susceptible and resistant sugar beet to population density of H. schachtii . From 2002 to 2005, thirteen field trials were conducted in four regions of Germany. In the year prior to sugar beet cultivation, a susceptible and a resistant oilseed radish variety or a 50/50 mix of both were grown in strips to vary population densities of the nematode at each trial site. Significant differences in population densities after oilseed radish cultivation were obtained in six of the thirteen trials. The reproductive rates of H. schachtii were higher under the susceptible than under the resistant sugar beet variety in all trials and generally decreased with increasing initial population density (Pi). In both varieties, white sugar yields decreased with increasing Pi. This relation was not confirmed in all trials. Root quality was not related to Pi. It was concluded that the introduced methodology is too costly and not sufficiently reliable for extensive series of field trials.

Yield Potential of Sugar Beet – Have We Hit the Ceiling?

The yield of sugar beet has continuously increased in the past decades. The question arises, whether this progress will continue in the future. A key factor for increasing yield potential of the crop is breeding progress. It was related to a shift in assimilate partitioning in the plant toward more storage carbohydrates (sucrose), whereas structural carbohydrates (leaves, cell wall compounds) unintendedly declined. The yield potential of sugar beet was estimated at 24 t sugar ha-1. For maximum yield, sufficient growth factors have to be available and the crop has to be able to fully utilize them. In sugar beet, limitations result from the lacking coincidence of maximum irradiation rates and full canopy cover, sink strength for carbon assimilation and high water demand, which cannot be met by rainfall alone. After harvest, sugar losses during storage occur. The paper discusses options for a further increase in yield potential, like autumn sowing of sugar beet, increasing sink strength and related constraints. It is prospected that yield increase by further widening the ratio of storage and structural carbohydrates will come to its natural limit as a certain cell wall stability is necessary. New challenges caused by climate change and by prolonged processing campaigns will occur. Thus breeding for improved pathogen resistance and storage properties will be even more important for successful sugar beet production than a further increase in yield potential itself.

New Generation of Resistant Sugar Beet Varieties for Advanced Integrated Management of Cercospora Leaf Spot in Central Europe

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) epidemics in sugar beet have been increasing in recent years causing higher use of fungicides. Concomitantly, the availability of effective fungicides is at risk because of resistance development in the fungus, the lack of new active ingredients as well as restrictive approval practices. A key option for an integrated management of CLS is cultivation of resistant varieties. Because of the yield penalty in resistant varieties, acceptance in commercial practice so far has been low. The aim of our study was to characterize recent sugar beet varieties registered in Germany in terms of resistance and tolerance to CLS and their value for integrated pest management. The genetic basis of CLS resistance in varieties is protected by intellectual property rights even after variety registration and not open to the public due to economic competition. To gain reliable data for cultivation, varieties have to be tested for their resistance traits under field conditions at varying levels of infection with Cercospora beticola. In collaboration with variety related stakeholders, 15 sugar beet varieties were tested in 49 field trials in Germany from 2014 to 2016 for their yield response to CLS. The trials were set up in a split-plot design with and without infection (i.e., with and without fungicide). The classification of varietal reaction to CLS is based on symptomatic leaf area (susceptibility) and the resulting relative yield loss (tolerance). Since the relation between both parameters varied among varieties, it was used as an additional parameter to describe tolerance. On this basis, three groups of varieties were identified. They can be characterized as a susceptible, a resistant and a presumably tolerant cluster. A comparison of the data with an older dataset originating from 2009 to 2011 revealed that yield performance of recent varieties with resistance to C. beticola caught up with susceptible varieties due to breeding progress. They showed no yield penalty in the absence of the disease and better economic performance than susceptible varieties. It is assumed that these varieties will allow a substantial reduction of fungicide use for an advanced integrated pest management under central European conditions.