HPIPM:Cercospora Leaf Spot Sugarbeets

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Fungi
Phylum	Ascomycota
Subphylum	Pezizomycotina
Class	Dothideomycetes
Subclass	Dothideomycetidae
Order	Mycosphaerellales
Family	Mycosphaerellaceae
Genus	Cercospora

Scientific Name

Cercospora beticola

Scientific Name Synonyms

Cercospora longissima

Cercospora anthelmintica

Common Name

Cercospora leaf spot

Author: Howard F. Schwartz, David H. Gent, Robert Harveson, Barry Jacobsen, and Martha Mikkelson

Identification and Life Cycle

Cercospera leaf spot is caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, and attacks sugarbeets throughout the High Plains region. Infection occurs when conidia land on leaves when high temperatures (77 to 95ºC) coincide with high humidity (90-95% relative humidity) or free moisture on leaves. Little or no infection occurs when temperatures are below 60ºC. The pathogen is spread by splashing rain and irrigation water and to a lesser degree by wind. The fungus survives between sugarbeet crops in and on infected crop residue as spores (conidia) and fungal mycelial masses (stromata), seed, weeds, and alternate hosts (table beet, sugarbeet, Swiss chard, spinach, and wild Beta spp.).

Plant Response and Damage

Disease symptoms appear as nearly circular tan to light leaf spots (0.1 to 0.2 inches in diameter) with dark brown to reddish purple borders. Individual spots can coalesce and cause large areas to become brown and necrotic. Fungal mycelial masses called stromata are often visible as minute black dots in necrotic centers of leaf spots. Necrotic spots become gray and velvety during high humidity or heavy dews because of sporulation from the stromata. Blighted leaves collapse and fall to the ground, but remain attached to the crown. Long, elliptical lesions also may form on petioles. Sunken, circular lesions can also occur on sugarbeet crowns.

Biological Control

No biological control strategies have been developed for Cercospora leaf spot.

Cultural Control

Plant varieties less susceptible or resistant to Cercospora leaf spot. Rotate to non-hosts for at least 2 to 3 years. Deeply bury crop debris to hasten break down and reduce pathogen overwintering. Avoid overhead irrigation. Avoid planting new crops within 100 yards of previous season’s sugarbeet crop.

Chemical Control

Fungicides are often necessary to effectively manage Cercospora leaf spot. Benzimidazole fungicides should be rotated and/or tank-mixed with other chemistries to delay resistance development. Where benzimidazole resistant strains are present, use fungicides with a different mode of action.

Product List for Cercospora Leaf Spot:

Pesticide	Product per Acre	Application Frequency (days)	Remarks
Copper Fungicides—not all formulations listed
Badge	16-64 oz	10-14
Champ Formula2	1.33-3.3 pt	3-7 days
C-O-C-S WDG	3-4 lb	3-7 days
Copper-Count-N	0.33-0.75 gal	3-7 days
Kocide DF	2-5 lb	3-7 days
EBDC—not all formulations listed
Dithane DF	1.5-2 lb	7-10 days	Maximum of 15 pounds per season; include non-ionic surfactant to improve performance; 14 day PHI
Maneb 75DF	1.5-2 lb	7-10 days	Maximum of 11.2 pounds per season; 14 day PHI
Manzate 75DF	1.5-2 lb	7-10 days	Maximum of 24 pounds per season; 5 day PHI
ManKocide	2.5-6.5 lb	3-10 days	Maximum of 15 pounds per season; 14 day PHI
Penthiopyrad
Vertisan	14-30 fl oz	7-14 days	Rotate with other chemistry; Maximum of 61 fl oz/season; 7 day PHI
Strobilurin
Amistar	3-5 oz	5-14 days	Maximum of four applications per season; rotate with a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI
Gem	6-7 fl oz	10-14 days	Maximum of three applications per season; rotate with a fungicide with a different mode of action; 21 day PHI
Headline	9-12 fl oz	5-14 days	Maximum of four applications per season; no more than two sequential applications before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode of action; 7 day PHI
Quadris	9.2-15.4 fl oz	5-14 days	Maximum of four applications per season; rotate with a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI
Thiophanate Methyl
Topsin M WSR	6-8 oz	14 days	Must be tank-mixed with another fungicide; 21 day PHI
Topsin M 70W	6-8 oz	14 days	Must be tank-mixed with another fungicide; 21 day PHI
Triphenyltin Hydroxide
AgriTin	2.5-5.0 oz	10-14 days	Restricted use; Maximum of 10 ounces per season; 21 day PHI
SuperTin 80WP	2.5-5.0 oz	10-14 days	Restricted use; Maximum of 15 ounces per season; 21 day PHI

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.