Glossary

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Rhizomania

Viral disease of sugar beet

Sugar beets infested by rhizomania (left and right) compared to a resistant beet (centre)

The cause of the disease is the BNYV virus (Beet necrotic yellow virus), which is transmitted by a soil fungus (Polymyxa betae).

The rhizomania disease is considered the most economically important disease for sugar beets and, it now occurs around the world. Italy and Austria are the most affected countries in Europe.

In 1974, the disease was first found in Germany. Severe infestations can reduce yields by 50 percent and can reduce sugar content down to 10 percent.

Intensive breeding efforts have made it succeeded in developing sugar beet cultivars with improved resistance to rhozomania.

Another strategy for developing virus resistance is genetic engineering.