RED RIVER VALLEY, N.D.—With sugarbeet pre-pile getting under way in the Red River Valley, many growers are getting a good look at their fields both above and below ground—and many are finding some disappointing surprises.
Some fields that appear to be healthy above ground have very poor roots below ground. The main causes of this are Rhizoctonia root rot and Aphanomyces root rot. In the early stages of these diseases, the root will have a blackish appearance in spots that will continue to get larger as the season goes on. Eventually, the entire plant will die off and lay its leaves down on the ground.
To prevent yield losses later in the season, it’s important to inspect your fields early and take necessary actions to treat these diseases rather than harvest and put them in the pile, where storability can be compromised. Evaluate your disease control decisions from this season and adjust next season as necessary.
Source: www.knowmoregrowmore.com