Guidelines for integrated pest management in sugar beet cultivation – weed control

Die EU-Rahmenrichtlinie zur nachhaltigen Anwendung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln fordert die Anwendung der allgemeinen Grundsätze des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes (IPS). IPS-Leitlinien gehen über diese Basisanforderungen hinaus und beschreiben eine nachhaltige Pflanzenschutzpraxis spezifisch für eine Kulturart oder einen Sektor. In Zusammenarbeit zwischen Wissenschaftlern, Anbauexperten und Interessensvertretern der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette Zuckerrübe wurden Leitlinien für den integrierten Pflanzenschutz im Zuckerrübenanbau entwickelt und abgestimmt. Damit stehen abgestimmte Handlungsanweisungen für die Praxis und gleichzeitig ein Instrument für die Kommunikation mit der Gesellschaft zur Verfügung. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Auszug aus den Leitlinien zur Unkrautkontrolle in Zuckerrüben vorgestellt und diskutiert. Nichtchemische Alternativen zur Unkrautkon­trolle mit Herbiziden werden darin erläutert und Wege aufgezeigt, wie der Herbizideinsatz optimiert und auf das notwendige Maß begrenzt werden kann. Zudem wird herausgestellt, warum die Unkrautkontrolle mit Herbi­ziden derzeit die einzige praktikable und nachhaltige Maßnahme für einen wirtschaftlichen Zuckerrübenanbau ist.    The sustainable use of pesticides and the implementation of general principles of integrated pest management (IPM) are demanded from EU-legislation. IPM guidelines go beyond these basic requirements and describe crop- or sector-specifically how to further develop plant protection practice towards sustainability. The recently published guidelines for IPM in sugar beet cultivation were jointly developed by scientists, sugar beet extension experts and representatives of various interest groups related to sugar beet cultivation. With participation of these stakeholders in the development process it was possible to prepare a concerted realisation of the EU's demand on crop-specific guidelines and to provide an accepted tool for communication with the society at the same time. The weed-section of these guidelines contains preventive and direct control measures for weed control in sugar beet cultivation. The focus is put on herbicidal weed control and its non-chemical alternatives as well as options for optimisation of herbicide use in order to keep it to the necessary minimum. After evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of the presented measures, it is concluded that at present weed control with herbicides is a prerequisite for economic and sustainable sugar beet cultivation in Germany.   &nbsp

Economic efficiency of sugar beet cultivation depending on natural and climatic conditions

This article presents the analysis data on the economic efficiency of sugar beet cultivation in different natural and climatic conditions of Russia. A significant effect of natural and climatic conditions on the yield and efficiency of sugar beet production in Russia has been revealed. The analysis of the cost structure was carried out, which showed the intensification of sugar beet production technology in the farms of the Russian Federation at the expense of all cost items. It was found that the conditions of the Krasnodar Territory provided consistently high yields, combined with average technological qualities, and showed the maximum value of sugar beet cultivation profitability

Inventory of beet cyst nematode on sugar beet farms of three machine rings in Finland 2004-2006

The effect of harvester ring in the spreading of beet cyst nematodes was studied during the growing season 2004 to 2006. Three rings, three farms per ring and three fields per farm were taken to inventory

Bioadaptive technology of sugar beet cultivation

Therefore, with an appropriate approach to the industry, the production of sugar beets and their processing can be economically beneficial for both individual enterprises and for the state as a whole

Weed composition and herbicide use strategies in sugar beet cultivation in Germany

Das Unkrautauftreten und der Herbizideinsatz in Zuckerrüben haben sich in den letzten Dekaden sehr verändert. Dieser Artikel bezieht sich auf die Bestimmung und die Analyse von Entwicklungen im Unkrautauftreten sowie deren Regulierung durch Herbizidstrategien auf regio­naler und nationaler Ebene. Hierfür wurden Daten aus der Umfrage Produktionstechnik im Zuckerrübenanbau (1994–2010) und der NEPTUN-Erhebung Zuckerrüben (2005, 2007 und 2009) verwendet. Im Zeitraum von 1996 bis 2010 hat sich der Anteil von häufig auftretenden Unkräutern nahezu verdreifacht, und von schwer zu bekämpfenden Unkräutern verdoppelt. Die wichtigsten häufig auftretenden Unkräuter waren Gänsefußgewächse (CHESS), Knötericharten (POLSS) und Klettenlabkraut (GALAP) mit einem Vorkommen auf 36% bis 79% der Fläche. Die häufigsten schwer zu bekämpfenden Unkräuter waren Knötericharten (POLSS), Bingelkraut (MERAN) und Hunds­petersilie (AETCY), welche 2010 auf weniger als 26% der Fläche vorkamen. Während der Flächenanteil von Mulch­saat und Nachauflaufbehandlungen stetig ansteigt, liegt die Behandlungshäufigkeit relativ konstant bei etwa 3–3,5. Auch die Anzahl eingesetzter Herbizide und Wirkstoffe je Behandlung liegt relativ konstant bei 2,5 bzw. 4, jedoch änderte sich der Behandlungsindex signifikant von 2 auf 2,4. Anhand von Beispielregionen im Norden, Westen und Süden wurde die spezifische Verunkrautung einer Region erfasst, und mit der jeweilig angepassten Herbizidstrategie verglichen. Die Strategien unterschieden sich im Jahr 2009 hauptsächlich in der Behandlungshäufigkeit, die zwischen 2,9 und 4,5 variierte, der Anzahl an eingesetzten Herbiziden je Behandlung, die zwischen 2,2 und 3,5 variierte, der Anzahl eingesetzter Wirkstoffe je Behandlung, die zwischen 3,6 und 4,8 variierte und dem Behand­lungsindex, der zwischen 1,47 und 2,51 variierte. Zum ersten Mal wurde dadurch eine Verunkrautung mit einer entsprechenden Herbizidstrategie in Bezug gesetzt. Die unkrautartspezifische Anpassung der Behandlungsmuster, die Herbizidintensität und die Reduktion von Aufwandmengen verdeutlichen die Verinnerlichung des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes im Zuckerrübenanbau, welcher Bestand­teil der EU-Direktive 2009/128/EG für eine nachhaltige Verwendung von Pestiziden ist.    Weed composition and herbicide use in sugar beet fields varied in the last decades. This study was conducted to determine and analyse changes in weed composition and herbicide use strategies on regional and national scale in Germany based on data of the Sugar Beet Cultivation-survey (1994–2010) and NEPTUN-survey – Sugar Beet (2005, 2007 and 2009). On national scale, the occurrence of the most important common weeds has partly tripled and difficult-to-control weeds partly doubled from 1996 to 2010. Most important common weeds were goose­foot (CHESS), knotweed (POLSS) and cleaver (GALAP) with a spread of at least 36% up to 79%. The most difficult-to-control weeds were knotweed (POLSS), annual mercury (MERAN) and fool‛s parsley (AETCY), which occurred on less than 26% of the acreage in 2010. Acreage of mulch tillage systems and post-emergence treatments increased, while treatment frequency was relatively constant at approximately 3.0–3.5. Number of herbicide products and active ingredients used per treatment were relatively constant at 2.5 and 4.0, respectively, but treatment index per treatment changed significantly between the years from 2.0 to 2.4. Exemplarily, fields of exemplary regions in the north, west and south were characterised by specific weed compositions, which were regulated by adopted herbicide use strategies. Strategies differed in treatment frequency, varying from 2.9 to 4.5, number of herbicide products per treatment, varying from 2.2 to 3.5, number of active ingredients per treatment, varying from 3.6 to 4.8 and treatment index, varying from 1.47 to 2.51 in 2009. For the first time, the analysis of weed composition was done in relation to herbicide use strategies by comparable data. Weed species-specific adoption of treatment patterns, herbicide use intensity and reduced application rates clarify the implementation of the Integrated Pest Management in sugar beet cultivation, which is part of the EU-Directive 2009/128/EG for a sustainable use of pesticides.   &nbsp

Approach for determining the eco-efficiency of sugar beet cultivation in Germany

Das Öko-Effizienzkonzept wurde ursprünglich als produktbezogenes Modell für Wirtschaftsunternehmen entwickelt. Es scheint aber auch geeignet, Optionen für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung in der Pflanzenproduktion aufzuzeigen. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es daher, mit Hilfe eines Indikatorensystems die derzeitige Öko-Effizienz im Zuckerrübenanbau zu beschreiben. Darüber hinaus wurde das Verhältnis zwischen Produktionsintensität und Ertragsleistung von Zuckerrüben analysiert. Insgesamt wurden 109 Betriebe mit 232 Schlägen aus allen Anbauregionen in Deutschland zur Gestaltung des Zuckerrübenanbaus 2004 befragt. Berücksichtigt wurden die Maßnahmen Bodenbearbeitung, Düngung, Pflanzenschutz und Ernte. Um Produktionsintensität und Umweltwirkungen abzubilden wurden der Energieaufwand für die Bodenbearbeitung, die N-Düngung, der Behandlungsindex für die Pflanzenschutzintensität und der Erdanteil verwendet. Diese Indikatoren wurden ins Verhältnis zur Ertragsleistung, d.h. zum Bereinigten Zucker­ertrag, gesetzt und zu einem Index aggregiert. Der Index zeigt eine erhebliche Variation der Öko-Effizienz im Zuckerrübenanbau 2004 in Deutschland. Auf Schlagebene variierten der Energieaufwand für Bodenbearbeitung, die Höhe der N-Düngung, der Behandlungsindex, der Erdanhang und der Bereinigte Zuckerertrag (6-15 t ha-1) deutlich. Dadurch variierte auch die Öko-Effizienz erheblich. Zwischen Erdanhang und Bereinigtem Zuckerertrag gab es eine positive Korrela­tion. Dagegen zeigten Energieaufwand für Bodenbearbeitung, Höhe der N-Düngung und Behandlungsindex keinen Zusammenhang mit dem Bereinigten Zuckerertrag. Damit wurde nachgewiesen, dass die Höhe des Bereinigten Zuckerertrags nicht mit der Produktionsintensität zusammenhängt. Im Gegensatz dazu war der Einfluss des Betriebs (zusammengesetzt aus den Faktoren Anbaugestaltung, Standort, Witterung, Boden und deren Interaktionen) auf den Bereinigten Zuckerertrag hoch signifikant. Kurzfristig lässt sich die Öko-Effizienz am wirksamsten erhöhen, in dem die Produktionsintensität reduziert wird, was nicht zwangsläufig zu Ertragsverlusten führt. Auf Dauer führen kontinuierlich steigende Erträge zu einer kontinuierlichen Erhöhung der Öko-Effizienz.The eco-efficiency concept, originally developed as a business model, seems also appropriate to point out options for sustainable development in crop production. Thus, the study aimed to introduce a system of indicators in order to describe the current eco-efficiency of sugar beet cultivation. In addition, the relation between production intensity and yield performance of sugar beet was analyzed. In Germany, sugar beet cultivation of 109 farms with 232 fields in 2004 was surveyed across all growing areas. In our study, the operations tillage, fertilizer application, plant protection and harvest were considered. Energy input of tillage, N fertilizer rate, standardized treatment index of pesticide use and soil tare were used to reflect production intensity and environmental impact. These indicators were related to yield performance, i.e. white sugar yield (WSY) and aggregated to an index. This index reveals the range of eco-efficiency of sugar beet production in Germany in 2004. On the field level, energy input of tillage, N fertilizer rate, standardized treatment index, soil tare and WSY (6-15 t ha-1) were highly variable. Therefore, eco-efficiency varied considerably, too. A positive relation was given between soil tare and WSY. However, energy input of tillage, N fertilizer rate and standardized treatment index did not correlate with WSY. It was thus proved that WSY was independent of production intensity. But the effect of the farm (including crop management, site, weather, soil and their interactions) on WSY was highly significant. In the short run, the most effective way to increase eco-efficiency is to reduce production intensity, which is not necessarily associated with a yield decrease. In the long run, continuously increasing yield will continuously enhance eco-efficiency of sugar beet cultivation

Sugar Beet Cultivation in the Tropics and Subtropics: Challenges and Opportunities

Sugar beet, an important sugar crop, is particularly cultivated in humid regions to produce beet sugar, fulfilling about 25% of the world’s sugar requirement, supplementing cane sugar. However, sugar beet is not well adopted in the farming system of the tropics and subtropics, which is largely due to the historically well-established production technology of sugarcane and the lower awareness among local growers of sugar beet cultivation. Thus, the poor understanding of pest and disease management and the lack of processing units for sugar beet partially hinder farmers in the large-scale adaptation of sugar beet in the tropics and subtropics. Recent climatic developments have drawn attention to sugar beet cultivation in those regions, considering the low water demand and about half the growing duration (5–6 months) in contrast to sugarcane, sparing agricultural land for an extra crop. Nevertheless, a considerable knowledge gap exists for sugar beet when closely compared to sugarcane in tropical and subtropical growth conditions. Here, we examined the leverage of existing published articles regarding the significance and potential of sugar beet production in the tropics and subtropics, covering its pros and cons in comparison to sugarcane. The challenges for sugar beet production have also been identified, and possible mitigation strategies are suggested. Our assessment reveals that sugar beet can be a promising sugar crop in tropical and subtropical regions, considering the lower water requirements and higher salt resistance

Efficiency of Rz-1 based rhizomania resistance and molecular studies on BNYVV isolates from sugar beet cultivation in Geece

A survey was carried out to investigate the current situation concerning rhizomania disease incidence in sugar beet cultivation of Greece. A systematic field evaluation over locations and years revealed a consistent disease severity pattern according to favourable agroclimatic conditions and pointed to the so far effectiveness of the Rz1 gene-based resistance, as no major disease outbreaks were observed. Molecular analyses aiming at the characterization of the type and genetic diversity of the virus further confirmed the widespread occurrence of BNYVV in the country, as evidenced by RT-PCR amplification of all five known genomic molecules and nested-PCR assays. None of the isolates contained an RNA 5, typically found in pathotype P. On the basis of RFLP patterns, all BNYVV isolates analysed were classified as pathotype A. Sequence determination of the full-length RNA 3-encoded p25 protein, responsible for symptom development, revealed amino acid motifs ACHG/VCHG in the hypervariable region aa67–70. The presence of valine in position 67 did not appear associated with increased pathogenicity and resistance breaking properties, as earlier reported

Problems and prospects of sugar beet cultivation in Kazakhstan (Changed title according to reviewers' comments)

Received: May 21st, 2023 ; Accepted: August 5th, 2023 ; Published: October 24th, 2023Purpose - to ensure the food security of Kazakhstan, domestic sugar industry should aim at a significant reduction in import dependence and transition to self-sufficiency. The share of domestic sugar from sugar beet in Kazakhstan is 7%. Design/methodology/approach - review indicating the main problems in the sugar beet production in Kazakhstan for the purpose of reimagining the domestic sugar beet industry to reduce dependence on sugar import. We analyzed the dynamics of sugar beet cultivation in Kazakhstan over the past 20 years and detected a sharp reduction in the sugar beet production. Findings - we have identified 10 problems in sugar beet production in Kazakhstan and determined the necessary targeted solutions. We consider the main direction to be the development of scientific methodology for sugar beet production (breeding of new highly productive disease-resistant cultivars, improvement of sugar beet protection system, efficient crop rotation). The most notable problems included in this paper are small-scale marketability of sugar beet farms, infectious diseases of sugar beet, water supply shortages, use of outdated agricultural technologies, high cost of imported sugar beet seeds. Originality/value - The present paper includes a full analysis of current problems in sugar beet production in Kazakhstan

Energy use pattern in production of Sugar Beet in west Azerbaijan province of Iran

With regard to the limitation of energy resources, especially non-renewable sources and increasing trend of energy consumption in agriculture, energy management in this sector is important. The purpose of this study was assessing energy productivity, input and output energy, energy efficiency and output-input energy ratio of sugar beet production in west Azerbaijan province of Iran. To achieve these objectives, statistical data about cultivation area, sugar beet yield in 2010 were acquired from the agricultural research center of west Azerbaijan province. Also data about cultivation methods, implements and machinery in use were obtained from sugar beet farmers by questionnaire. According to the results, total energy consumption in sugar beet production was 52268.72 MJ/ha, output energy was 722400 MJ/ha, energy output-input ratio was 13.8, net energy was 670131.28 MJ/ha and energy productivity was 0.82 Kg/MJ. The major energy consumers were chemical fertilizers with 34% of total input energy, irrigation (22%), implements and irrigation equipment manufacturing (12.84%) and spraying (7%), respectively. Approximately 29.48% of total input energy used in sugar beet production was direct energy and the remaining of 70.42% was indirect