Ideal conditions have given the Beet Cyst Nematode (BCN) a three-month head start in its breeding cycle with the second of four potential generations already established in the current sugar beet crop.
Richard Powell, Syngenta’s UK sugar beet crop group manager, says growers should be alert to the symptoms.
’The very warm soil conditions in April enabled the Heterodera schachtii nematode to start multiplying much earlier than usual. With ideal conditions prevailing, they are well on their way to producing a fourth generation by the end of the summer. If crops are wilting, growers should look for cysts on the roots of affected crops and consider having the fields intended for sugar beet for 2012 tested to ascertain the level of infestation.
’We would urge those growers who have a problem to also seriously consider ordering a BCN-tolerant variety for next year’s sowing, as there is no chemical control and even low levels of infestation can cause yield losses of at least 10%.’
Mr Powell said their model of a giant nematode, which is being displayed at shows, BBRO days and farm walks, is helping to get the message across.
’Our answer to the problem is Sentinel which is the grower’s first choice because it is affordable and has a high yield potential in both infected and uninfected conditions. It has a four-year mean yield of 105.8 adjusted tonnes per hectare. As well as being BCN-tolerant and Rhizomania-resistant, it also has good resistance to bolting, making it suitable for early drilling, and excellent establishment, with a four-year mean of 94 % (BBRO/NIAB Recommended List 2012).’
