Making The Switch

In the meantime, UK beet manager, Volker Utesch points out that a resistant variety will not only protect yield if the disease is present, it will also reduce the build up and spread of rhizomania.

“Our advice is that even if you haven’t spotted it yet, if your neighbour has rhizomania, then you should be making the switch to resistant types,” he says.

In five years time, UK growers will almost certainly be planting rhizomania resistant varieties Europe-wide, the next most important resistance characteristic under the KWS spotlight is against cercospora – leaf spot disease.

While the UK industry holds its breath, the disease is wreaking havoc in the warmer climes of Italy, Spain and Greece where fungicidal control is limited and cercospora cuts yields by 30-40%.

When infected, the established plant has to divert sugars from the root into replacing leaves which totally die-off. In the worst cases, 2-3 new sets of leaves are needed to maintain plant survival.

KWS’ breeding team has successfully introduced a number of different genes which offer very high resistance to the disease, and while the yield penalty from cercospora resistant varieties is 15%, this does enable production in these warmer climates. It will also provide UK growers with a source of protection should the disease reach our shores.