Leaf diseases: keep an eye on the sugar beets

Leaf diseases pose a significant threat to sugar beet yields. The health of the leaves is crucial for photosynthesis and sugar production. The most common leaf diseases in sugar beets are cercospora, ramularia, mildew and rust. In addition to direct damage to yields, heavy infestations can also have indirect consequences, such as increased susceptibility to other diseases and pests.

To maximize sugar beet yields, it is very important to prevent leaf diseases. Regular inspection of crops and taking preventive measures, such as using less sensitive varieties and applying crop protection products, can reduce the risk of foliar diseases. In addition, it is important to ensure good soil health and optimal growing conditions for the plants.

Recommendations

• Check the field regularly
• Always prevent cercospora from establishing itself in the crop at the beginning of the season
• Carry out a first preventive spray in time (often around the longest day). If the timing of the use of resources is not good - in other words: spraying was done too late - we will see more damage to the plots later.
• Use the advice of a warning system (BAS from the IRS)

BICANTA® and TERN®: effective solutions
BICANTA® and TERN® are excellent solutions against all leaf diseases. TERN has been specially developed for the control of diseases in sugar beet cultivation. With its broad spectrum of action, TERN provides effective control against various foliar diseases, including cercospora, mildew and rust. It is also a 'booster' that strengthens the effect of other substances when combined with them. This makes TERN particularly suitable for addition to BICANTA or Belanty*.

By effectively controlling leaf diseases in general and cercospora in particular, growers can optimize sugar beet yields.

_{*Belanty® is a trademark of BASF}