The fungal pathogen Neocamarosporium betae (formerly Phoma betae) can cause a range of symptoms in fodder beet crops.

 

Identification

For damping off symptoms, see Rhizoctonia. Leaf spots are light brown and round to oval, often with concentric rings. Small, dark fruiting bodies form in the necrotic tissue as lesions age. Bulb rot manifests as brown to black necrotic crown rotting.

 

Phoma leaf spot on beet. 

 

Importance

Occurs occasionally.

 

Spread

Infection is mostly seed borne but the fungus can survive in crop debris and soil for 12–20 months. Spores spread by water splash.

 

Management

Always use seed from a reputable source, and rotate crops for 1-2 seasons if disease occurs.