Symptoms of Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) have been observed in a sugarbeet field near Scottsbluff, Neb., a signal that growers should begin scouting fields for signs of this potentially destructive disease.
Cercospora leaf spot has long been problematic to sugarbeet production throughout the eastern and Great Lakes production areas of the U.S. In western Nebraska, it has been sporadic, but not a consistent issue. However, when it does occur, it can be very destructive.
CLS is caused by the airborne fungal pathogen Cercospora beticola, which overwinters in infected residue and can serve as an inoculum source the following season. Disease development is strongly dependent upon very specific environmental conditions, including periods of high humidity or extended leaf wetness (more than 11 hours) and warm temperatures (higher than 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 80 to 90 degrees during the day). Without these conditions, disease spread and damage to beet crops is greatly reduced or inhibited.
The fungus grows within leaf tissues and new lesions and spores will be formed within 10 to 14 days under optimum conditions. This means that whenever you see the circular, ash-colored lesions (1/8-inch in diameter) surrounded by a dark border, infection has occurred approximately two weeks earlier.
On Monday morning (July 15), the symptoms characteristic of this disease were observed on lower leaves of sugar beets from research plots at the Panhandle Research & Extension Center at Scottsbluff. This suggests that infection occurred back before July 4, which is incredibly early for western Nebraska.
This also implies that many of the new leaves may already be infected, but not exhibiting symptoms yet. Infection of the newer, upper leaves is where the economic loss occurs in both tonnage and sugar content.
Be on the lookout. It is definitely time to begin scouting fields, closely looking for similar symptoms. It is unusually early, but fungicide applications may be necessary if it continues to rain and stay warmer at nights between midnight and 6-7 a.m. CLS is a devastating disease if it becomes established and is difficult if not impossible to properly manage. You can never play catch-up with this disease.
CLS is caused by the airborne fungal pathogen Cercospora beticola, which overwinters in infected residue and can serve as an inoculum source the following season. Photo courtesy Nebraska Extension