Determination of Distribution, Pathogenicity and Resistance of Some Varieties of Sugar Beet to Cercospora beticola Sacc. in Turkey

Cercospora leaf spot caused by Cercospora beticolaSacc. is the most destructive disease of sugar beet. Cercospora leaf spot disease density has been determined with survey studies in the intensive sugar beet production areas in the 11 provinces of northern and central parts of Turkey in July to September 2011. A total of 391 fields were observed and 193 (49.4%) of them were contaminated with C. beticola. The highest rate was Yozgat with 82.4%, followed by Kirsehir (75%) and Kastamonu (72.7%). Of the 193 Cercospora isolates obtained, 66 were selected according to their geographical origins and pathogenicity studies conducted. As a result, 15 (22.7%) isolates were found to have very high virulence. In addition, two C. beticolaisolates (13-10 and 13-65) were selected from high virulence isolates and were performed for varietal reaction studies. While only cv. Turbata and Serenada were resistant, cv. Kassandra also showed a sensitive reaction to both isolates