Vegetables - Disease Management          Pat Donald, MU  (573) 882-2716 
                                         Om Sehgal, MU (573) 882-7060

                               KEY
                          1 = Symptoms
                           2 = Control

BEETS          

Seed decay and damping off (several fungi)     
   1.  Pre-emergence and post-emergence damping off, root rot and stem rot. 
   2.  Seed treatment:  Apron 25W 2 oz./cwt., 50 W 1 oz./cwt.

Black spot (dry rot) (non-parasitic disorder) 
   1.  Black spots inside beet roots and large black dry roots on
       the root surface. Necrotic cross hatching of inner concave
       surface on leaf petiole. Caused by boron deficiency, which
       is most prevalent in alkaline soils under dry conditions.  
   2.  Apply borax as recommended by soil test. Usually one ounce 
       over 16 to 20 square yards. Plant in slightly acidic soil. 

Cercospora leaf spot (fungus)   Cercospora beticola 
   1.  Leaves have circular brown or gray spots with reddish-purple
       borders. Dead tissues may drop out.     
   2.  Use crop rotation. Fertilize for good growth. 

Phoma heart rot (fungus)   Phoma beta     
   1.  Damping off of seedlings. Roots and basal stems turn black
       and plants fall over. Roots are first water-soaked, followed
       by brown to black discoloration. Dry rot follows.  
   2.  Use crop rotation and balanced fertility. Aggravated by    
       calcium and boron deficiencies.  Apply lime when needed and 
       borax, as with Black spot.