Susceptibility of Table Beet Cultivars to Foliar Diseases in New York

A collection of foliar diseases affects table beet production in New York. The predominant diseases are bacterial leaf spot (BLS), caused by the bacterium, Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata; Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by the fungus, Cercospora beticola; and Phoma leaf spot (PLS) caused by the fungus, Phoma betae (syn. Neocamarosporium betae). Little is known of the potential to use host resistance in an integrated program for table beet disease management. Field trials evaluated the susceptibility of selected table beet cultivars (Bohan, Bresko, Manolo, Pablo, Red Cloud, Ruby Queen, Subeto, and Bazzu/Irazu) to BLS, CLS, and PLS. Bohan was one of the least susceptible to BLS but was moderately and highly susceptible to CLS and PLS, respectively. Bresko was moderately susceptible to BLS and CLS, and among the least susceptible to PLS. Manolo was one of the least susceptible to BLS and PLS but highly susceptible to CLS. Pablo and Red Cloud were moderately or highly susceptible to all diseases. Subeto was moderately susceptible to BLS and CLS but the least susceptible to PLS. Ruby Queen, the processing standard, was the least susceptible to BLS and PLS, and moderately susceptible to CLS. Bazzu and Irazu (2021 and 2022, respectively) were among the least susceptible to all diseases and the only cultivars tested with reduced CLS susceptibility. These findings emphasize the need to evaluate table beet cultivar susceptibility to the spectrum of foliar diseases. This information may underpin cultivar selection based on the varying importance of diseases in specific production situations.