Diseases and Pests

The fungi Cercospora survives in leaf debris in the soil. The sclerotia-like mycelium can survive for up to two years and forms conidia in spring, which can trigger the initial infection.  

Typically, dark conidiophores with clear conidia (spores) can be seen inside the leaf spots as light gray. These are the structures the fungus uses for spreading. They are spreading by wind or water within the population. During the infection, the germ tube formed out of the fungal spores, penetrates the stomata of the leaf cells. The fungus continues to grow into the tissue. The fungal hyphae make their way between the cells. With the help of haustoria, they tap into the cells. The cell liquid supplies the fungus with nutrients. In the process, also toxins are released by the fungus, plant cells die and the leaf tissue becomes necrotic. The inner area of ​​the Cercospora spot is enclosed by a dark red to brown ring. (Graph) 

Conidia formation and infection by the fungus find the most beneficial conditions in warm and humid weather: temperatures between 25 and 30 ° C and a humidity of 100% are optimal. However, growth and spread are also possible between 6 to 35 ° C with a humidity> 91%. 

Depending on climatic requirements, the disease occurs regularly in the south and south-west of Germany, preferably in the river plains (e.g. Danube, Rhine). In other regions, a stronger infection can be detected in warmer years or in specific areas whose microclimate favour the development of the fungus. 

The Ramularia beticola Fautr. et Lamb causes the Ramularia leaf spots. The Ramularia leaf spots can be confused with Cercospora leaf spots. However, Ramularia spots are larger and lighter. The definite distinguishing feature is the color of the conidiophores, which are visible as dots in the leaf spot: a Ramularia spot has light conidiophores, in contrast to the dark conidiophores of the Cercospora spots. The temperature and humidity optimum for the development of Ramularia is lower than for Cercospora. Temperatures between 16 and 20 ° C and a humidity of 70% are favourable for the occurrence of Ramularia. 

In Germany, the disease occurs more often in autumn, when Cercospora and Ramularia can also occur on the same leaf at the same time. However, also mixed infections of Cercospora, Ramularia, powdery mildew and rust can be observed frequently in this time. 

Powdery mildew, Erysiphe betae, forms a mycelium only on the leaf surface with gray-white conidia. Hyphae penetrate the epidermal cells and attach the mycelium on the leaf with the help of haustoria. The fungus supplies itself with nutrients from the haustoria. (Diagram) The mycelium is initially perceived as a spider web- like structure on the leaf surface resulting in a powder-like covering which is looking like flour. The white gray covering can be washed off. The conidia of the fungus are spread by wind. 

In contrast to Cercospora, powdery mildew does not lead to the death of cells and tissue. Loss of yield is caused by its parasitic way of life.

And then again in comparison to Cercospora, the occurrence and spread of powdery mildew is favoured by warm, but dry weather. Powdery mildew infestation can cause yield losses that are as high as those with Cercospora leaf spots. An early infestation in July must be treated according to the threshold of infection. The plants should be checked by the end of August. 

The fungus survives with the help of "winter spores" on leaf debris, which are in the soil from the last year. In spring, these "winter spores" - the teleutospores - germinate and create basidiospores that infect the beet plants. There is no change of host. Also spore beds (aecidia) can form on the underside of the leaves. The aecidiospores produced in it germinate and produce the clearly visible rust-red pustules on the beet leaves. Here the uredospores "summer spores" are produced. When the pustules burst, the spores emerge like red- rust dust. High humidity and temperatures between 10 and 22 ° Celsius are ideal for their development. Higher temperatures are counterproductive. In autumn the darker teleutospores "winter spores" are produced from the uredospores and the cycle continues.  

 Rust spots are relatively often found in beets in autumn, mostly mixed with powdery mildew or ramularia. The harmful effect is then usually negligible. The spores are spread by the wind, but rainfall also spreads the disease in the population.