Beet fields hit by severe rot

Beet fields in the region are suffering from a severe rot caused by the Rhizopus fungus, which has reached an unprecedented level this year. This infestation has been worsened by a series of heatwaves and a significant lack of water, making many fields non-harvestable.

Impact spreads across southern production area

As of October 20, nearly 36% of beet fields are affected, with the severity ranging from a few percent to 70% of the area impacted, averaging around 11%. The southern half of the production area is the most affected, unlike previous major outbreaks in France in 2003 and 2006, which were concentrated in the Côte-d'Or region.

Two recommended methods for destroying affected beets

To address the problem, the Technical Institute of Beet (ITB) suggests two main strategies for destroying non-harvestable beet fields. The first involves a mechanical method using a disk tool in one or two passes, with the first being very superficial and the second deeper, but not too deep to avoid bringing up the beets.

Glyphosate application as an alternative

Alternatively, a pass of glyphosate herbicide is recommended, with specific products such as Roundup Dynamic, Roundup Ultimate, and Roundup Future authorized for this purpose. These products are based on glyphosate at 500 g/l and can be used whether or not plowing has occurred before application.

Special considerations for Conviso Smart beet fields

For Conviso Smart beet fields, the ITB specifically recommends using glyphosate for destruction. If regrowth is present, the weeding program for the next crop should include a herbicide from a different HRAC group than ALS inhibitors to avoid resistance issues.

Additional warnings about crop risks

The ITB also warns that abundant pivot residues in the fields increase the risk of attacks by the wheat midge, particularly on late-sown crops. To mitigate this, an appropriate seed treatment is recommended, as noted by Ghislain Malatesta.