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CR+ Varieties
The Power of + -
CR+ Varieties
The Power of +
CR+ Cercospora Protection Plus Yield Performance
Stay ahead of Cercospora with CR+
CR+ varieties offer a straightforward advantage: better Cercospora protection combined with high yield performance, helping you to obtain solid, more profitable harvests.
The Main Benefits of CR+
Cercospora Protection
- Disease progression slowed down
- First spots might appear later
- Reduced disease severity
Yield Performance
- High yields in presence and absence of the disease
- Stable and high sugar content
- High yield stability
- Healthy, less stressed beet
In the past growers had to decide: either a high level of Cercospora protection OR a high yield performance under low or no Cercospora pressure.
The aim of plant breeding is to achieve the best possible combination of disease protection with yield performance - under all growing conditions, in presence and absence of disease pressure. CR+ varieties follow a new rule and combine both: high Cercospora protection PLUS high yield performance.
KWS is a leader in successfully developing varieties with healthy leaves. These varieties with strong protection against Cercospora have been continuously improved as a result of intensive breeding efforts. In this process, strong and traditional sources of protection were combined, which offer high level of Cercospora protection. The composition of these different sources of protection is marketed as CR+ varieties.
Changing disease pressure
2/3 of the global sugarbeet acreage
are characterised by a risk of moderate to high Cercospora pressure (i.e. about 3 mha).
Observations show that the disease conquers new territory by spreading from South to North in the long term.
up to 50% yield losses
Cercospora Leaf Spot is by far the most destructive leaf disease.
Furthermore, Cercospora leads to inferior processing quality resulting in a reduced productivity and competivness of the sugarbeet industry.
Efficacy of fungicides
In future, controlling Cercospora with plant protection products will become more difficult.
Fungicide resistance
spread widely and thus reduce the efficacy of plant protection products.
Rotation of mode of action
is incresingly diffuclt as their number is being further limited.
Integrated Cercospora Management
is becoming increasingly important - farmers are forced to limits their fungicide use as much as possible.
The Power of Integrated Cercospora Management (ICM)
CR+ varieties provide a significant tool for Cercospora control, though they are not immune. Effective management requires an integrated approach, combining these varieties with targeted fungicides and cultural practices. This strategy reduces inoculum, safeguarding the long-term effectiveness of both fungicides and the CR+ varieties for sustained crop health and yield.
Disease Monitoring: Stay ahead of Cercospora
Regular field checks are crucial – early detection makes all the difference. Weather conditions matter: High humidity and warm temperatures accelerate disease development.
Use disease warning systems and local recommendations to make informed decisions.
Check fields individually
Be aware that the first spots might appear later in CR+
Utilize warning systems
Observe and respect thresholds
Fungicide: Application timing is everything
The first fungicide application is the most important – spray on time!
Use the most effective fungicide for the first application to stop the disease before it spreads. Rotate active ingredients in subsequent applications to prevent fungicide resistance.
Never reduce the dosage – fungicides work best at full strength.
Timely application of fungicides
Spray not too late, be on time.
The first spray is the most important one.
The proper application of fungicides
- Use the appropriate amount of water (300-400 L/ha).
- Combine and alternate different fungicide actives.
- Apply in appropriate conditions: avoid wind, rain, high temperatures.
- Adapt pressure, nozzle type and speed to reduce drift.
Cultural: Agronomic Practices: Strengthening your defense
Soil Tillage: Helps to break the Cercospora infection cycle by decomposing infected residues.
Crop Rotation: Implement a minimum 3-year break from sugarbeet to reduce disease pressure
Soil Tillage
Promotes plant residue decomposition, preventing pathogen overwintering.
Diversity is key in your crop rotation
Rotate sugarbeets for 3+ years to break Cercospora cycle.
Variety: The first line of defense
Choose a CR+ variety adapted to your local agronomic conditions to ensure the best performance in your region.
This step sets the foundation for effective disease management.
Select a variety that fits your needs.
Take local angronomic conditions and challenges into account.
Opt for CR+ Varieties: a strong tool for your Cercospora control strategy.
CR+ Management
CR+ varieties offer new and excitingly strong options to push back Cercospora. In many cases Cercospora spots appear later, the disease progression is slowed down and disease severity is reduced. This allows to rethink Cercospora Management towards a more field-tailored approach.
Fight against pathogens
Our breeders identified the strong Cercospora tolerance of CR+ varieties in a broad range of wild beet. With classic breeding methods it was crossed into KWS` breeding material. Find out how they keep countering the pathogens in our World of Farming story "Fight against pathogens".
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