Control of Cercospora leaf spot – an example of disease management practices

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the applied fungicides in the control of Cercospora leaf spot, CLS (Cercospora beticola Sacc.), and to analyse sugar beet yields and quality in the five-year period (2016- 2020). In the analysed period, the first preventive fungicide application was carried out in the first or second decade of June. Regardless of the growing season, treatments were carried out on 4 (2016 - 2018) or 5 treatments (2019 and 2020). The interval between treatments was from 14 to 20 days. The last treatment was carried out at the end of the first decade in August. A combination of organic systemic fungicides and copper-based agents (copper oxychloride) was used in each treatment, which has been shown to be successful in preserving sugar beet leaves free of CLS. The average yield of sugar beet root was 74.4 t/ ha, while sugar content in the root 15.86%. The highest root yield was achieved in 2016 (80.8 t/ha), when protection against CLS was carried out on 4 applications. The lowest yield and sugar content were achieved in 2019 (65.2 t/ha and 12.24%), because after the hail in July, re-growth of sugar beet leaves occured.

Keywords

• cercospora beticola
• sugar beet
• yield
• quality
• weather conditions