Beets:Key

KEY TO BEET PESTS AND NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

Seed

Seed disorders are limited to disorders while in the ground and not to potential disorders inherent in the seed.

No Distinct Discoloration

Salt injury

Unemerged or dead plants; accumulation of salt on the soil surface

Wireworms

Reduced stands; stunted, wilted, or dying plants; germinating seeds destroyed; taproots of small plants cut off, or roots of older beets scarred; damage caused by slender, tough, smooth, wirelike worms, from white or yellow to dark brown and 3-38 mm long

Seedling

ORANGE

Seedling rust

Yellowish orange pustules, only on cotyledons or very young first true leaves of seedlings

TAN

Freezing

Leaves or cotyledons of plants appear water-soaked and die after occurrence of low temperatures; roots appear healthy; in plants with large taproots, thawed tissue becoming yellow to light tan; with a sharp demarcation between frozen and healthy tissue

YELLOW

Freezing

Leaves or cotyledons of plants appear water-soaked and die after occurrence of low temperatures; roots appear healthy; in plants with large taproots, thawed tissue becoming yellow to light tan; with a sharp demarcation between frozen and healthy tissue

Seedling rust

Yellowish orange pustules, only on cotyledons or very young first true leaves of seedlings

No Distinct Discoloration

Aphanomyces cochlioides

Damping-off at high temperatures; nonseptate mycelium; long, narrow, filamentous sporangia with encysted spores at their tips; zoospores present in water culture

Flea beetles

Small shot holes in or complete consumption of cotyledons or first true leaves; damage caused by tiny, jumping beetles, up to 5 mm long, and brown, striped, or shiny black

Phoma betae

Damping-off at low temperatures; septate mycelium; pycnidia produced in water culture after seven days; holdfasts produced on the bottom of a plastic petri dish in water agar

Pythium aphanidermatum

Damping-off at high temperatures; nonseptate mycelium; lobed or inflated sporangia; submerged in water culture; zoospores may be present

Pythium ultimum

Damping-off at low or high temperatures; terminal, spherical sporangia on nonseptate mycelium; submerged in water culture

Rhizoctonia solani

Damping-off at high temperatures; regularly septate mycelium; floats in water culture; right angles formed at the juncture of side branches of mycelium with cross-walls just above the juncture

Salt injury

Unemerged or dead plants; accumulation of salt on the soil surface

Wireworms

Reduced stands; stunted, wilted, or dying plants; germinating seeds destroyed; taproots of small plants cut off, or roots of older beets scarred; damage caused by slender, tough, smooth, wirelike worms, from white or yellow to dark brown and 3-38 mm long

Crusting

Usually only emerging plants affected; plants emerging through cracks in the soil; soil plates raised by emerging plants

Root

BLACK

Bacterial vascular necrosis and rot

Dark black streaks in petioles; foaming at the centers of crowns; brownish soft rot of roots; in root tissue, black vascular bundles, with adjacent tissue turning pink if exposed to air; wilting of plants as the disease progresses

Black root

Hot-season rot; brown to black lesions on taproots; frequently, excessive formation of lateral rootlets; fibrous or tasseled appearance of severely rooted roots

Botrytis storage rot

Rotted tissue is black; dark brown to black sclerotia, 2-3 mm in diameter; gray spores present in masses

Charcoal rot

Charcoal black sclerotia in pockets on crowns or taproots; mustard yellow early rot; wilting of foliage after extensive root rot

Phoma root rot

Cool-season rot; rotted tissue dark brown to black with prominent black lines; pycnidia may be present on older tissue

Phoma storage rot

Rotted tissue is black; white mycelium in pockets in rotted tissue; black pycnidia present, exuding colorless spores

Phytophthora root rot

Hot-season rot; rotted tissue brown with black margin; tips of severely rotted roots brown and frayed; usually associated with excess of water

Pythium root rot

Hot-season rot; rotted tissue black; usually associated with excess of water

Rhizoctonia root and crown rot

Light tan to black sclerotia on root surfaces; chlorotic, wilted, and rosetted foliage; petioles turning black and brittle near the crown; circular dry rot cankers on crowns

Verticillium wilt

Black, very small, round or irregularly shaped sclerotia; vascular bundles of root tissue brown and threadlike; wilting of foliage at high temperature

BROWN

Bacterial vascular necrosis and rot

Dark black streaks in petioles; foaming at the centers of crowns; brownish soft rot of roots; in root tissue, black vascular bundles, with adjacent tissue turning pink if exposed to air; wilting of plants as the disease progresses

Black root

Hot-season rot; brown to black lesions on taproots; frequently, excessive formation of lateral rootlets; fibrous or tasseled appearance of severely rooted roots

Botrytis storage rot

Rotted tissue is black; dark brown to black sclerotia, 2-3 mm in diameter; gray spores present in masses

Clover cyst nematode

Roots contain cysts; females turn yellow before becoming reddish brown cysts; found thus far only in the Netherlands and Sweden

Fusarium yellows

Vascular bundles of root tissue gray-brown; no sclerotia; yellowing of foliage of all ages

Phoma root rot

Cool-season rot; rotted tissue dark brown to black with prominent black lines; pycnidia may be present on older tissue

Phytophthora root rot

Hot-season rot; rotted tissue brown with black margin; tips of severely rotted roots brown and frayed; usually associated with excess of water

Rhizopus root rot

Cool- or hot-season rot; gray-brown lesions in injuries on crowns or taproots; infected roots become black and spongy; initially white mycelium, later turning black, on root surface; vinegary odor of internal fluid

Scab

Normal leaves with a brownish, roughened appearance on portions of roots or entire roots

Southern Sclerotium root rot

White to dark brown, round sclerotia on crowns and roots, accompanied by a mass of white mycelium; rotted tissue highly water-soaked

Sugar beet cyst nematode

Roots contain cysts; females do not turn yellow before becoming reddish brown cysts; found worldwide

Verticillium wilt

Black, very small, round or irregularly shaped sclerotia; vascular bundles of root tissue brown and threadlike; wilting of foliage at high temperature

Violet root rot

Violet to violet-brown, rounded sclerotia on roots, covered with a velvety mass of mycelium; wilting of foliage after extensive root rot

GRAY

Botrytis storage rot

Rotted tissue is black; dark brown to black sclerotia, 2-3 mm in diameter; gray spores present in masses

Fusarium yellows

Vascular bundles of root tissue gray-brown; no sclerotia; yellowing of foliage of all ages

Rhizopus root rot

Cool- or hot-season rot; gray-brown lesions in injuries on crowns or taproots; infected roots become black and spongy; initially white mycelium, later turning black, on root surface; vinegary odor of internal fluid

GREEN

Penicillium storage rot

Rotted tissue is brown; columnar tufts with green spores on the root surface

PINK

Bacterial vascular necrosis and rot

Soft rot; dark vascular bundles surrounded by pink tissue when cut

Bacterial vascular necrosis and rot

Dark black streaks in petioles; foaming at the centers of crowns; brownish soft rot of roots; in root tissue, black vascular bundles, with adjacent tissue turning pink if exposed to air; wilting of plants as the disease progresses

RED

Clover cyst nematode

Roots contain cysts; females turn yellow before becoming reddish brown cysts; found thus far only in the Netherlands and Sweden

Sugar beet cyst nematode

Roots contain cysts; females do not turn yellow before becoming reddish brown cysts; found worldwide

TAN

Rhizoctonia root and crown rot

Light tan to black sclerotia on root surfaces; chlorotic, wilted, and rosetted foliage; petioles turning black and brittle near the crown; circular dry rot cankers on crowns

VIOLET

Violet root rot

Violet to violet-brown, rounded sclerotia on roots, covered with a velvety mass of mycelium; wilting of foliage after extensive root rot

WHITE

Phoma storage rot

Rotted tissue is black; white mycelium in pockets in rotted tissue; black pycnidia present, exuding colorless spores

Southern Sclerotium root rot

White to dark brown, round sclerotia on crowns and roots, accompanied by a mass of white mycelium; rotted tissue highly water-soaked

YELLOW

Clover cyst nematode

Roots contain cysts; females turn yellow before becoming reddish brown cysts; found thus far only in the Netherlands and Sweden

Sugar beet cyst nematode

Roots contain cysts; females do not turn yellow before becoming reddish brown cysts; found worldwide

No Distinct Discoloration

Beet leaf curl

Leaf margins curled upward; veinclearing in youngest leaves; leaves curled upward, crinkled, and dwarfed; tops and roots markedly stunted

Beet necrotic yellow vein

Mildly yellowed leaves; leaf blades upright, sometimes flabby and wilted; severe root stunting and proliferation of lateral rootlets; proliferation of leaves, resulting in formation of extensive crown tissue; occasional veinbanding on leaves

Beet savoy

Leaf margins curled downward; vein thickening and growth retardation of leaves, giving their lower surface a netted appearance; leaves dwarfed and curled downward at the edges; roots with phloem necrosis and discoloration

Crown gall

Normal leaves with a large gall or galls on roots

False root-knot nematodes

Roots with galls

Fluchloralin; Nitralin; Pendimethalin; Trifluralin; 2,4-D

Roots affected; twisting, excessive formation of root hairs

Freezing

Leaves or cotyledons of plants appear water-soaked and die after occurrence of low temperatures; roots appear healthy; in plants with large taproots, thawed tissue becoming yellow to light tan; with a sharp demarcation between frozen and healthy tissue

Lightning damage

Dead plants in a circular pattern, with the number of living plants increasing with distance from the center; root appear free of disease

Rodents

Crowns and roots eaten; usually, small cavities left, with tooth marks; burrows or mounds of soil may be present only the bottoms of taproots may be eaten, so that plants wilt

Root-knot nematodes

Roots with galls

Soil compaction

Wilting may occur; roots growing parallel to the soil surface above a compacted layer; sprangling of roots may occur

Stem and bulb nematode

Roots without cysts or galls; plants with swollen epicotyls and hypocotyls

Stubby-root nematodes

Roots without cysts or galls; roots stubbed off

Sugar beet root maggot

Reduced stands; stunted, wilted, or dying plants, white maggots, 6 mm long, without legs, eyes, or distinct head, present around roots; root riddled with burrows and surface scars

Symphylan

Plants stunted or dying; small roots eaten; active, fragile, small centipedes present, 6 mm long, whitish in coloration, with six to 12 or more pairs of legs

White grubs

Taproots of small plants cut off; bug holes cut in sides of larger roots; damage caused by soft, robust, U-shaped grubs, up to 38 mm long, with shiny brown heads, six legs, dark abdomens, and dirty white to grayish coloration

Wind damage

Plants flat on the soil surface; root girdling at the soil line; silvery foliage on older plants

Wireworms

Reduced stands; stunted, wilted, or dying plants; germinating seeds destroyed; taproots of small plants cut off, or roots of older beets scarred; damage caused by slender, tough, smooth, wirelike worms, from white or yellow to dark brown and 3-38 mm long

Yellow wilt

Yellowing of leaves, with tips turned down, followed by dwarfing of straplike new leaves; proliferation of rootlets may occur; wilting of plants when root tips die; reported only in South America

Crown

BLACK

Bacterial vascular necrosis and rot

Dark black streaks in petioles; foaming at the centers of crowns; brownish soft rot of roots; in root tissue, black vascular bundles, with adjacent tissue turning pink if exposed to air; wilting of plants as the disease progresses

Charcoal rot

Charcoal black sclerotia in pockets on crowns or taproots; mustard yellow early rot; wilting of foliage after extensive root rot

Rhizoctonia root and crown rot

Light tan to black sclerotia on root surfaces; chlorotic, wilted, and rosetted foliage; petioles turning black and brittle near the crown; circular dry rot cankers on crowns

BROWN

Rhizopus root rot

Cool- or hot-season rot; gray-brown lesions in injuries on crowns or taproots; infected roots become black and spongy; initially white mycelium, later turning black, on root surface; vinegary odor of internal fluid

Southern Sclerotium root rot

White to dark brown, round sclerotia on crowns and roots, accompanied by a mass of white mycelium; rotted tissue highly water-soaked

Beet tumor or crown wart

Greenish brown, rough galls, usually less than 1 cm in diameter, on older leaf blades and petioles; red to greenish brown galls, 8-10 cm in diameter, attached by a narrow base, may also occur on crowns but not on taproots; brown spores may fill tumors

GRAY

Rhizopus root rot

Cool- or hot-season rot; gray-brown lesions in injuries on crowns or taproots; infected roots become black and spongy; initially white mycelium, later turning black, on root surface; vinegary odor of internal fluid

RED

Beet tumor or crown wart

Greenish brown, rough galls, usually less than 1 cm in diameter, on older leaf blades and petioles; red to greenish brown galls, 8-10 cm in diameter, attached by a narrow base, may also occur on crowns but not on taproots; brown spores may fill tumors

WHITE

Southern Sclerotium root rot

White to dark brown, round sclerotia on crowns and roots, accompanied by a mass of white mycelium; rotted tissue highly water-soaked

No Distinct Discoloration

Beet necrotic yellow vein

Mildly yellowed leaves; leaf blades upright, sometimes flabby and wilted; severe root stunting and proliferation of lateral rootlets; proliferation of leaves, resulting in formation of extensive crown tissue; occasional veinbanding on leaves

Rodents

Crowns and roots eaten; usually, small cavities left, with tooth marks; burrows or mounds of soil may be present only the bottoms of taproots may be eaten, so that plants wilt

Bacterial pocket

Normal leaves with large pustules or pockets on crowns

Cutworms

Plants wilted near thinning time and partially or completely cut off at the crown; damage caused by smooth, hairless, fat, soft-bodied, greasy-looking worms, 38-51 mm long, found near freshly cut plants, just under the soil surface

Sugar beet crown borer

Silken tubes, 5-15 cm long, radiating just under the soil surface from the crowns of wilted or cut-off plants; dirty white larvae, 13-19 mm long, with a distinct greenish tinge, present inside the tubes

Stem

No Distinct Discoloration

Cutworms

Plants wilted near thinning time and partially or completely cut off at the crown; damage caused by smooth, hairless, fat, soft-bodied, greasy-looking worms, 38-51 mm long, found near freshly cut plants, just under the soil surface

Lightning damage

Dead plants in a circular pattern, with the number of living plants increasing with distance from the center; root appear free of disease

Leaf

BLACK

Alternaria leaf spot

Dark brown to almost black spots, 2-10 mm in diameter, circular to irregularly shaped, with centers turning gray with age; dark fungal growth on spots during cool, humid periods; spots frequently occurring in yellowed areas of infected or deficient leaves

Bacterial leaf spot

Small to large, circular to angular, black spots and streaks on leaf blades, veins, and petioles; spots often bordered by brown tissue, which may be surrounded by a halo of yellow tissue

Cercospora leaf spot

Individual spots 3-5 mm in diameter mostly on older leaves, with tan to brown centers (or grayish fungal growth, under warm, humid conditions) and dark brown or purple borders; small black dots may be scattered in tan centers

Ramularia leaf spot

Spots on older leaves 4-7 mm or more in diameter, somewhat angular, with tan to medium brown centers (grayish white fungal growth may be present) and dark brown to almost black or purplish red borders; generally occurring under cool, damp conditions

Rhizoctonia foliar blight

Blackened marginal areas of smaller heart leaves, giving the appearance of having been burned; small leaves misshapen and irregular in appearance, often reduced to stubs

BRONZE

Powdery mildew

Whitish, dusty or powdery fungal growth on middle-aged and older leaves; leaves not distorted but may be reddish bronze under fungal growth

BROWN

Penicillium storage rot

Rotted tissue is brown; columnar tufts with green spores on the root surface

Alternaria leaf spot

Dark brown to almost black spots, 2-10 mm in diameter, circular to irregularly shaped, with centers turning gray with age; dark fungal growth on spots during cool, humid periods; spots frequently occurring in yellowed areas of infected or deficient leaves

Bacterial leaf spot

Definite black, circular or angular spots of all sizes on leaf blades or petioles; spots often surrounded by brown tissue and a halo of yellow tissue

Beet rust

Reddish brown pustules on mature leaves, petioles, or seedstalks

Cercospora leaf spot

Individual spots 3-5 mm in diameter mostly on older leaves, with tan to brown centers (or grayish fungal growth, under warm, humid conditions) and dark brown or purple borders; small black dots may be scattered in tan centers

Diquat; Paraquat; Endothall

Foliage affected; necrosis; browning

Phoma leaf spot

Spots up to 1-2 mm or more in diameter, round to oval, with light to dark brown centers and dark concentric rings near the perimeter, but usually without distinct borders; dark rings may contain small, black fruiting bodies on the fungus

Ramularia leaf spot

Spots on older leaves 4-7 mm or more in diameter, somewhat angular, with tan to medium brown centers (grayish white fungal growth may be present) and dark brown to almost black or purplish red borders; generally occurring under cool, damp conditions

DARK

Phoma leaf spot

Spots up to 1-2 mm or more in diameter, round to oval, with light to dark brown centers and dark concentric rings near the perimeter, but usually without distinct borders; dark rings may contain small, black fruiting bodies on the fungus

GRAY

Alternaria leaf spot

Dark brown to almost black spots, 2-10 mm in diameter, circular to irregularly shaped, with centers turning gray with age; dark fungal growth on spots during cool, humid periods; spots frequently occurring in yellowed areas of infected or deficient leaves

Cercospora leaf spot

Individual spots 3-5 mm in diameter mostly on older leaves, with tan to brown centers (or grayish fungal growth, under warm, humid conditions) and dark brown or purple borders; small black dots may be scattered in tan centers

Downy mildew

Grayish, downy fungal growth on heart leaves, usually on the lower surface; leaves sometimes tinged with purple, curled downward, and distorted

Ramularia leaf spot

Spots on older leaves 4-7 mm or more in diameter, somewhat angular, with tan to medium brown centers (grayish white fungal growth may be present) and dark brown to almost black or purplish red borders; generally occurring under cool, damp conditions

GREEN

Sugar beet root aphid

Small, light green or yellow-green plants; roots containing moldlike substance covering yellow-white, wingless aphids, up to 3 mm long, and fewer darker-winged aphids

Armyworms

Foliage eaten by thick-bodied caterpillars, 38 mm long, that crawl over the ground in masses and consume all green plants in their path

Beet mosaic

Leaves mottled in irregular patterns of shades of green; mottling consisting of chlorotic spots or rings with green centers

Beet webworm

Leaves skeletonized or ragged and webbed by active olive green worms, 13-38 mm long, with light and dark longitudinal stripes running the length of the body; when disturbed, worms hang from a silk thread or retreat into silken tunnels

Genetic abnormalities

Yellow streaks or spots on leaves or lack of green color in sectors of leaves

Phosphorus deficiency

Stunted greening

Zinc deficiency; Manganese deficiency; Iron deficiency; Chlorine deficiency; Copper deficiency

Yellowing with green veining

PURPLE

Cercospora leaf spot

Individual spots 3-5 mm in diameter mostly on older leaves, with tan to brown centers (or grayish fungal growth, under warm, humid conditions) and dark brown or purple borders; small black dots may be scattered in tan centers

Downy mildew

Grayish, downy fungal growth on heart leaves, usually on the lower surface; leaves sometimes tinged with purple, curled downward, and distorted

Ramularia leaf spot

Spots on older leaves 4-7 mm or more in diameter, somewhat angular, with tan to medium brown centers (grayish white fungal growth may be present) and dark brown to almost black or purplish red borders; generally occurring under cool, damp conditions

RED

Beet rust

Reddish brown pustules on mature leaves, petioles, or seedstalks

Powdery mildew

Whitish, dusty or powdery fungal growth on middle-aged and older leaves; leaves not distorted but may be reddish bronze under fungal growth

Ramularia leaf spot

Spots on older leaves 4-7 mm or more in diameter, somewhat angular, with tan to medium brown centers (grayish white fungal growth may be present) and dark brown to almost black or purplish red borders; generally occurring under cool, damp conditions

SILVER

Wind damage

Plants flat on the soil surface; root girdling at the soil line; silvery foliage on older plants

TAN

Freezing

Leaves or cotyledons of plants appear water-soaked and die after occurrence of low temperatures; roots appear healthy; in plants with large taproots, thawed tissue becoming yellow to light tan; with a sharp demarcation between frozen and healthy tissue

Cercospora leaf spot

Individual spots 3-5 mm in diameter mostly on older leaves, with tan to brown centers (or grayish fungal growth, under warm, humid conditions) and dark brown or purple borders; small black dots may be scattered in tan centers

Dodder

Fine, vinelike, yellow to light tan plants with very small leaves and no chlorophyll growing on the surface of beet plants; in later growth stages, the parasite appears somewhat like a coil of fine wire

Ramularia leaf spot

Spots on older leaves 4-7 mm or more in diameter, somewhat angular, with tan to medium brown centers (grayish white fungal growth may be present) and dark brown to almost black or purplish red borders; generally occurring under cool, damp conditions

WHITE

Powdery mildew

Whitish, dusty or powdery fungal growth on middle-aged and older leaves; leaves not distorted but may be reddish bronze under fungal growth

Ramularia leaf spot

Spots on older leaves 4-7 mm or more in diameter, somewhat angular, with tan to medium brown centers (grayish white fungal growth may be present) and dark brown to almost black or purplish red borders; generally occurring under cool, damp conditions

YELLOW

Beet necrotic yellow vein

Mildly yellowed leaves; leaf blades upright, sometimes flabby and wilted; severe root stunting and proliferation of lateral rootlets; proliferation of leaves, resulting in formation of extensive crown tissue; occasional veinbanding on leaves

Rhizoctonia root and crown rot

Light tan to black sclerotia on root surfaces; chlorotic, wilted, and rosetted foliage; petioles turning black and brittle near the crown; circular dry rot cankers on crowns

Charcoal rot

Charcoal black sclerotia in pockets on crowns or taproots; mustard yellow early rot; wilting of foliage after extensive root rot

Freezing

Leaves or cotyledons of plants appear water-soaked and die after occurrence of low temperatures; roots appear healthy; in plants with large taproots, thawed tissue becoming yellow to light tan; with a sharp demarcation between frozen and healthy tissue

Fusarium yellows

Vascular bundles of root tissue gray-brown; no sclerotia; yellowing of foliage of all ages

Sugar beet root aphid

Small, light green or yellow-green plants; roots containing moldlike substance covering yellow-white, wingless aphids, up to 3 mm long, and fewer darker-winged aphids

Yellow wilt

Yellowing of leaves, with tips turned down, followed by dwarfing of straplike new leaves; proliferation of rootlets may occur; wilting of plants when root tips die; reported only in South America

Alternaria leaf spot

Dark brown to almost black spots, 2-10 mm in diameter, circular to irregularly shaped, with centers turning gray with age; dark fungal growth on spots during cool, humid periods; spots frequently occurring in yellowed areas of infected or deficient leaves

Bacterial leaf spot

Small to large, circular to angular, black spots and streaks on leaf blades, veins, and petioles; spots often bordered by brown tissue, which may be surrounded by a halo of yellow tissue

Beet mosaic

Leaves mottled in irregular patterns of shades of green; mottling consisting of chlorotic spots or rings with green centers

Beet western yellows

Interveinal yellowing, thickened leaves; little or no veinclearing or necrotic spotting in interveinal tissue; lesions caused by Alternaria on leaf edges

Beet yellow net

Bright yellow chlorosis of veins and veinlets, sometimes becoming interveinal and involving entire leaf blades; at later stages, symptoms may disappear, and plants appear normal

Beet yellow stunt

Interveinal yellowing, thickened leaves; severe twisting, cupping, and epinasty of leaves; shortened petioles; leaves becoming mottled and yellowed

Beet yellow vein

Dwarfing and yellowing of young leaves; yellowing of main veins, extending into adjacent tissue and producing conspicuous veinbanding; isolated, irregular yellow areas may develop in smaller infected veins; dwarfing, often on only one side of the plant

Beet yellows

Interveinal yellowing, thickened leaves; pale yellowing and vein etching on younger leaves, with necrotic flecking and necrotic areas in interveinal areas; leaves may have translucent pinpoint spots

Cucumber mosaic

Leaves mottled with bright yellow, puckered, and blistered

Dalapon; Glyphosate; Desmedipham; Phenmedipham; Atrazine; Heazinone; Simazine; Chlorsulfuron; Pyrazon

Foliage affected; chlorosis, yellowing

Dodder

Fine, vinelike, yellow to light tan plants with very small leaves and no chlorophyll growing on the surface of beet plants; in later growth stages, the parasite appears somewhat like a coil of fine wire

Genetic abnormalities

Yellow streaks or spots on leaves or lack of green color in sectors of leaves

Lettuce infectious yellows

Interveinal yellowing and very mild mottle

Nitrogen deficiency; Sulfur deficiency; Molybdenum deficiency

Uniform yellowing

Zinc deficiency; Manganese deficiency; Iron deficiency; Chlorine deficiency; Copper deficiency

Yellowing with green veining

No Distinct Discoloration

Beet tumor or crown wart

Greenish brown, rough galls, usually less than 1 cm in diameter, on older leaf blades and petioles; red to greenish brown galls, 8-10 cm in diameter, attached by a narrow base, may also occur on crowns but not on taproots; brown spores may fill tumors

Beet leaf curl

Leaf margins curled upward; veinclearing in youngest leaves; leaves curled upward, crinkled, and dwarfed; tops and roots markedly stunted

Beet savoy

Leaf margins curled downward; vein thickening and growth retardation of leaves, giving their lower surface a netted appearance; leaves dwarfed and curled downward at the edges; roots with phloem necrosis and discoloration

Violet root rot

Violet to violet-brown, rounded sclerotia on roots, covered with a velvety mass of mycelium; wilting of foliage after extensive root rot

Alfalfa looper

Plants bordering alfalfa fields are eaten by light green, dark olive green, or pale greenish brown larvae, up to 38 mm long, tapering toward the head, and moving in a looping manner

Beet curly top

Leaves crinkled, dwarfed, and rolled upward; veins roughened on the lower side of leaves; swelling of veins and spinelike outgrowths on them; necrotic phloem tissue of leaves, with phloem contents visible on the leaf surface

Beet latent rosette

Leaves twisted, with tips turned down; later, formation of leaf rosette

Beet leafhopper

Curling of leaves, caused by a virus transmitted by small, slender, wedge-shaped, active, jumping and flying insects, 3 mm long

Beet petiole borer

Small pits and punctures on leaf petioles; damage caused by shiny, dark brown weevils, 3 mm long; legless larvae, white with a brown head capsule, burrowing into the tissue and producing tunnels

Blister beetles

Leaves eaten by ash gray, black, spotted or striped, slender beetles, from 13 to over 25 mm long and 6 mm wide, with conspicuous heads, necks, long legs, and antennae

Calcium deficiency; Boron deficiency

Growing-point damage

Carrion beetles

Foliage eaten by oval beetles, 13 mm long; dull black adults, contrasting with shiny black immature beetles; wedge-shaped young beetles also eat foliage

Dicamba; 2,4-D; MCPA; Diethatyl ethyl; Ethofumesate; Picloram; Cycloate; Diallate; EPTC; Pebulate

Foliage affected; epinasty, malformations

Drought

Plants appear healthy; wilting of leaves; death of older leaves; dry soil

False chinch bug

Large numbers of grayish brown, narrow-bodied insects, 3 mm long, with transparent wings lying flat on their backs, sometimes clustered on plants

Flea beetles

Small shot holes in or complete consumption of cotyledons or first true leaves; damage caused by tiny, jumping beetles, up to 5 mm long, and brown, striped, or shiny black

Foliage-feeding aphids

On the underside of leaves, soft-bodied, slow-moving, pale yellow-green to black, winged or wingless insects, often feeding in colonies

Garden webworm

Leaves skeletonized or ragged and webbed by pale greenish yellow to dark yellow larvae with numerous black dots; slightly hairy larvae, a little smaller than the beet webworm

Grasshoppers

Foliage eaten in late summer or early fall by large, slender, jumping or flying insects, 3-5 cm long, usually moving into beet fields after other crops are harvested

Hail damage

Holes in leaves or torn or shredded leaves; dead or dying plant material surrounding plants

Lightning damage

Dead plants in a circular pattern, with the number of living plants increasing with distance from the center; root appear free of disease

Lygus bugs

Leaves sometimes wilted by shy, angular, flattish sucking bugs, 6 mm long, pale green, reddish, or dark brown but always difficult to see on green plants

Potassium deficiency; Magnesium deficiency

Leaf scorch

Salt-marsh caterpillar

Plants damaged late in the season by large caterpillars, up to 5 cm long, covered by long, reddish brown or black hairs and distinctly marked with yellow spots on their sides

Spider mites

Considerable fine webbing on the underside of leaves, leaf necrosis, or speckled appearance of leaves; damage caused by tiny eight-legged spiders, from yellow to green and red with darker-pigmented spots

Spinach leaf miner

Blisterlike or blasted spots and irregular tunnels between the leaf surfaces; damage caused by maggots, 13 mm long, eating the interior of leaves