Hans Schneider and EARC Field Days

MSU/MAES EARC Plant Pathologist, Hans Schneider, began as a plant pathologist and superintendent at EARC in August 2013. One of his first tasks was to initiate a sugar beet disease diagnostic laboratory at EARC. Hans collaborates with Sidney Sugars Inc. to investigate the severity of diseases and pests in the sugar beet growing area. Several fields have been sampled for beet cyst nematodes, because they are known to occur in the area, but not to what extent. In the samples thus far analyzed beet cyst nematodes were present.

Field trials are conducted at EARC where different sugar beet varieties and a new seed treatment are tested for their efficacy to control beet cyst nematodes.

A field trial is also underway on integrated control of the soil-borne fungus Rhizoctonia solani. This program was initiated by Professor Barry Jacobsen from MSU-Bozeman. The trial includes seed treatments and timing of application of (new) fungicides through seed treatment or in furrow treatments in combination with band spraying.

The nematode and rhizoctonia trials will be presented at the EARC field days on July 24th.

Yet another interesting field trial is integrated control of ascochyta blight of chick pea. In this trial resistant varieties are tested in combination with (new) fungicides. "We also try to monitor the fungus before the first symptoms occur through spore traps," states Schneider. "The field trial will be presented during the EARC field day event by Sherry Turner, who started as a research associate last April."