Evaluation of five sugar beet varieties for root-knot nematode and root-rot fungal infection

Survey results during 2010–2011 season revealed that the Meloidogyne spp., Helico–tylenchus spp. and Tylenchorhynchus spp. were the common plant parasitic nematodes in the rhizospheres of sugar beet in El-Behera, El-Fayoum and Beni Sueif Governorates. Aspergillus spp., Aspergillus niger, Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinum, Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus nigricans, Trichoderma spp. and others were also the common fungi in the same rhizospheres. The rhizosphere of El-Behera Governorate was highly infected with Meloidogyne spp., Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp., compared to the rhizospheres of El-Fayoum and Beni Sueif, respectively. Evaluation of five of sugar beet cultivars, viz. Chems, Dema-Poly, DS 9001, Manila and Ras-Poly to infection, with Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode), Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani (root rot disease) was carried out under naturally field infection condition in the Nubariya region, Behera Governorate during 2011–2012 season. Host susceptibility rating revealed that the varieties of Ras-Poly, DS 9001 and Manila can be considered as susceptible, while the varieties of Dema-Poly and Chems can be considered as highly susceptible. Pathological results showed that the varieties of Dema-Poly and Ras-Poly were highly infected with F. solani, while not infected with R. solani. The varieties of DS 9001, Manila and Chems were moderately infected with the two pathogens.