Erwinia root rot occasionally can be a highly destructive disease. Symptoms of Erwinia root rot on sugarbeet include black streaks running up the petioles, froth from crowns, and blackened petiole bases and crown. Vascular bundles in the petioles and root will be necrotic, and the root tissue adjacent to the vascular necrosis will turn pink when cut and exposed to the air. In late stages, the rot can become an extensive soft or dry rot. Young plants are more susceptible than old plants, and the disease can survive in some weeds.
Most sugarbeet varieties have resistance to Erwinia root rot, but losses can still occur.
Control practices also should include maintaining a 6 to 8 inch plant spacing, reducing or eliminating plant injury, avoiding excessive irrigation and preventing soil deposit into crowns. Good weed control should be maintained throughout the rotation. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. The first symptom is interveinal chlorosis on older leaves that can mimic nutrient deficiency. Younger leaves may also show yellowing as the disease progresses.