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CR+
The new generation Cercospora varieties
CR+: We change the rules.
Get the best of both dimensions: Protection + Performance.
The new generation of Cercospora varieties follows a new rule: a high level of Cercospora protection PLUS a high yield performance under both high and low Cercospora pressure.
CR+ is an additional strong tool which offers a high level of Cercospora protection combined with high yield performance
Cercospora Protection
- Disease progression slowed down
- Later appearance of the spots
- Reduce disease severity
- Potential in saving fungicides*
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, new and existing sources of protection were combined, which offer the new level of Cercospora protection. The composition of these different sources of protection is marketed as CR+ varieties.
CR+ varieties offer a strong additional tool to control Cercospora as part of an integrated solution. However, they are not immune. The CR+ varieties slow down disease dynamics and combined with an adapted fungicide management and cultural control measures, farmers will keep a healthy crop with high yield until harvest. Thereby the management goal is to achieve “Green leaves until harvest”. This is expected to reduce the Cercospora inoculum load over time and support the durability of fungicides as well as of the 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 leave 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 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 Pest Management
is becoming increasingly important - farmers are forced to limits their fungicide use as much as possible.
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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