Seed Treatments for the Control of Insects and Diseases in Sugarbeet

Abstract

Insect feeding and vectoring of viruses cause serious problems in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) production worldwide. In order to ameliorate insects and diseases on sugarbeet, two seed treatments, Poncho Beta (60 g a.i. [active ingredient] clothianidin + 8 g a.i. beta-cyfluthrin/100,000 seeds) and Cruiser Tef (60 g a.i. thiamethoxam + 8 g a.i. tefluthrin/100,000 seeds) were investigated in a series of five field trials from 2006 to 2009. The two seed treatments and an untreated check were tested on commercial sugarbeet cultivars in a randomized complete block design with eight replications. Insect incidence and curly top symptoms were evaluated. Both Poncho Beta and Cruiser Tef provided significant reduction in curly top symptoms and incidence of leafminers (Pegomya spp.), black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scopoli), and sugarbeet root aphid (Pemphigus betae Doane). In the two trials conducted under curly top pressure, Poncho Beta and Cruiser Tef had more root yield than the untreated check by 3.4 to 15.1 t/ha. In the three trials without curly top pressure, Poncho Beta and Cruiser Tef resulted in root yield increases of 3.1 to 6.7 t/ha over that of the untreated check. Neonicotinoid seed treatments play an important role in early season disease and insect management in sugarbeet production, but should be viewed as a supplement to host plant resistance rather than a substitute for it.