Soil Temp, not necessarily crop stage, crucial in determining spray timing for Rizoctonia Crown and Root Rot of sugarbeets

According to research conducted by Barry Jacobsen, plant pathologist at MSU, farmers should monitor soil temperatures to decide when fungicide treatments should be made to prevent infection of Rizoctonia Crown and Root Rot on their sugarbeet crop. According to Barry, "research over the past 9 years demonstrates that Quadris applications for Rhizoctonia Crown and Root Rot control should occur when soil temperatures at the 2-4" level average (high and low for the day) is 60-70 degrees Farenheit."

With the recent warm weather and readings from various weather stations, Richland County is in this range. For the complete article, log onto the Plant Diagnostic Information System web page, select Montana and Richland County.