Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.     

A Greenhouse Test for Screening Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris) for Resistance to Rhizoctonia Solani

Rhizoctonia solani Kühn is a serious plant pathogenic fungus, causing various types of damage to sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). In Europe, the disease is spreading and becoming a threat for the growing of this crop. Plant resistance seems to be the most practical and economical way to control the disease. Experiments were carried out to optimise a greenhouse procedure to screen plants of sugar beet for resistance to R. solani. In the first experiment, two susceptible accessions were evaluated for root and leaf symptoms, after being grown in seven different soil mixtures and inoculated with R. solani. The fungus infected all plants. It was concluded that leaf symptoms were not reliable for the rating of disease severity. Statistically significant differences between the soil mixtures were observed, and there were no significant differences between the two accessions. The two soil mixtures, showing the most severe disease symptoms, were selected for a second experiment, including both resistant and susceptible accessions. As in the first experiment, root symptoms were recorded using a 1–7 scale, and a significant expression of resistance was observed. The average severity of the disease in the greenhouse experiment generally was comparable with the infection in field experiments, and the ranking of the accessions was the same in the two types of experiments. It was concluded that evaluation procedures in the greenhouse could be used as a rapid assay to screen sugar beet plants for resistance to R. solani.     

Early detection of sugar beet pathogen Ramularia beticola in leaf and air samples using qPCR

A quantitative PCR method (qPCR) was developed for the detection and quantification of Ramularia beticola causing Ramularia leaf spot in sugar beet. R. beticola specific primers were designed based on the internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2). The assay was applied on DNA extracted from spores trapped on tape from Burkard spore traps placed in an artificially inoculated sugar beet field trial and in two sugar beet fields with natural infections. R. beticola DNA was detected at variable amounts in the air samples 14 to 16 days prior to first visible symptoms. R. beticola DNA was detected in air samples from fields with natural infection at significant and increasing levels from development of the first symptoms, indicating that spore production within the crop plays a major role in the epidemic development of the disease. Sugar beet leaves sampled from the inoculated field trial were also tested with the qPCR assay. It was possible to detect the presence of R. beticola in the leaves pre-symptomatic at least 10 days before the occurrence of the visible symptoms of Ramularia leaf spot. This is the first report of a molecular assay, which allows screening for the presence of R. beticola in plant material and in air samples prior to the appearance of visible symptoms. An early detection has potential as a tool, which can be part of a warning system predicting the onset of the disease in the sugar beet crop and helping to optimise fungicide application.     

Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.     

Interaction of Collimonas strain IS343 with Rhizoctonia solani at low carbon availability in vitro and in soil

Collimonas sp. IS343, isolated from an organically-farmed arable soil and characterized as a broad-range oligotrophic bacterium, was shown to degrade chitin and to suppress R. solani mycelium growth under in vitro conditions at high and low carbon availabilities. In contrast to C. fungivorans Ter331, strain IS343 did not respond with an increase in growth rate to higher carbon levels in liquid medium, it reached higher cell numbers in carbon-poor media and it showed better survival in bulk soil. Therefore, it was concluded that strain IS343 cells are better adapted to circumstances of low carbon availability as present in bulk soils than strain Ter331 cells. Further, strain IS343 cells were more suppressive towards R. solani than strain Ter331 cells in vitro. When introduced into soil, strain IS343 cells delayed disease development caused by R. solani AG2-2IIIB in sugar beet plants. These results suggest that strain IS343 cells are able to tentatively suppress R. solani AG2-2IIIB mycelium growth in soil. Potential mechanisms behind the observed suppressive effects can be competition for available nutrients between strain IS343 cells and R. solani mycelium in soil or the production of chitinase as shown for this and other Collimonas species.     

Residues of aldicarb and its main metabolites in the leaves of sugar beet plants

The residues of aldicarb and of its main metabolites (aldoxycarb, 2-mesyl-2-methylpropionitrile, and 2-mesyl-2-methylpropan-1-ol) were measured, by a gas-liquid chromatographic procedure, in the leaves of ripe sugar beet plants from cultures made by several farmers. The sugar beet plants had been grown in normal fields and treated at sowing with aldicarb at the usual rate of 1 kg ha^?1 in the form of ‘Temik’, the commercial formulation of aldicarb which contains 10% by weight of aldicarb. The samples of sugar beet plants were taken from three fields of different soil types. The residue concentrations, ranged in order of soil type, were: sandy loam > silt loam > clay.     

Influence of foliar application of nitrogen and potassium onalternaria diseases in potato,tomato and cotton

The hypothesis that enrichment of the foliage with nitrogen and potassium may enhance host resistance toAlternaria and thus reduce disease severity, was examined for potato and tomato (A.solani) and for cotton (A.macrospora). First, the activity of urea (CO(NH₂)₂) and the salts NH₄NO₃, (NH₄)₂S0₄, KNO₃, KCl, K₂SO₄ and KH₂P0₄ againstA. solani andA. macrospora was determinedin vitro; each of the compounds tested had a weak inhibitory effect on spore germination of A.solani (ED50 > 1000 μg/l) and on mycelial growth of both A.macrospora andA. solani (ED50 > 10,000 μg/l). Next, the effect of foliar application of selected nutrients onA. solani andA. macrospora was evaluatedin vivo on detached leaves of tomato and cotton. The diameter of A.solani lesions on leaves sampled from tomato plants treated with KNO₃ was significantly smaller (by 56.5%) than that recorded on leaves sampled from untreated plants.A. macrospora severity on leaves sampled from cotton plants treated with urea was significantly lower than that observed on untreated leaves (70.8% reduction) but KNO₃ did not affect disease severity significantly. The following step was to examine the effects of foliar application of urea and KNO3 onAlternaria development in field experiments, two with potato and one with cotton. Foliar application of both nutrients (8-10 sprays in total) did not affectAlternaria severity as compared with the untreated control in any of the experiments. The fungicides chlorothalonil and tebuconazole, on the other hand, significantly suppressed the disease throughout most of the growing season. A mixture of urea or KNO₃ with the fungicides did not further improve the effects of the latter when applied alone. Based on these results, it was concluded that foliar application of urea or KNO₃ does not affect host response toAlternaria.     

寄主植物对甜菜夜蛾生长发育和消化酶活性的影响

通过室内饲养和生化测定,研究了甜菜、玉米和黄瓜3种寄主植物的营养物质及其对甜菜夜蛾幼虫发育、成虫产卵及5龄幼虫体内蛋白质和总氨基酸含量、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活力的影响.结果表明:与取食玉米和黄瓜的个体相比,取食甜菜的甜菜夜蛾,其幼虫期和蛹期较短,分别为11.4天和5.6天;蛹期存活率最高,达100%;成虫寿命较长,为26.3天;单雌产卵量最高,为301.8粒.取食3种寄主植物,甜菜夜蛾5龄幼虫体内的蛋白质含量无差异,但总氨基酸含量差异显著,此外,幼虫体内淀粉酶和脂肪酶活力也存在显著差异,取食甜菜的个体>取食玉米的个体>取食黄瓜的个体.取食不同寄主植物,甜菜夜蛾幼虫的消化酶和脂肪酶活力与其发育适合度呈正相关.     

New insights into virus yellows distribution in Europe and effects of beet yellows virus,beet mild yellowing virus,and beet chlorosis virus on sugar beet yield following field inoculation

Beet yellows virus (BYV), beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV), beet chlorosis virus (BChV), and beet mosaic virus (BtMV) cause virus yellows (VY) disease in sugar beet. The main virus vector is the aphid Myzus persicae. Due to efficient vector control by neonicotinoid seed treatment over the last decades, there is no current knowledge regarding virus species distribution. Therefore, Europe-wide virus monitoring was carried out from 2017 to 2019, where neonicotinoids were banned in 2019. The monitoring showed that closterovirus BYV is currently widely spread in northern Europe. The poleroviruses BMYV and BChV were most frequently detected in the northern and western regions. The potyvirus BtMV was only sporadically detected. To study virus infestation and influence on yield, viruses were transmitted to sugar beet plants using viruliferous M. persicae in quadruplicate field plots with 10% inoculation density simulating natural infection. A plant-to-plant virus spread was observed within 4 weeks. A nearly complete infection of all plants was observed in all treatments at harvest. In accordance with these findings, a significant yield reduction was caused by BMYV and BChV (−23% and −24%) and only a moderate reduction in yield was observed for BYV (−10%). This study showed that inoculation at low densities mimics natural infection, and quick spreading induced representative yield effects. Within the background of a post-neonicotinoid era, this provides the basis to screen sugar beet genotypes for the selection of virus tolerance/resistance and to test the effectiveness of insecticides for the control of M. persicae with a manageable workload.     

The metabolism of [14C]aldicarb in the leaves of sugar beet plants

Sugar beet plants were grown in the field, after in-furrow application of [¹⁴C]aldicarb (3 kg of aldicarb ha^?1) at planting. The ripe sugar beet plants were harvested, and the blades and petioles of the leaves were analysed separately. In the whole leaves, 15% of the ¹⁴C (all the percentages of ¹⁴C are relative to the total ¹⁴C incorporated into the whole leaves) was insoluble in ethanol+ water (1+1 by volume), 31% was organo-soluble (and thus unconjugated in the leaves), and 54% was water-soluble (mainly conjugated to plant constituents). The weights and concentrations (as aldicarb equivalents) of various identified metabolites of aldicarb, incorporated into the leaves, were determined; no aldicarb, as such, was detected.     

Susceptibility of intercrops to infection with Rhizoctonia solani AG 2‐2 IIIB and influence on subsequently cultivated sugar beet

The susceptibility of intercrop species (Raphanus sativus, Brassica juncea, B. rapa, Sinapis alba and Phacelia tanacetifolia) to the sugar beet pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was investigated in vitro, in the greenhouse and in the field with artificial inoculation. Disease severity in subsequently cultivated sugar beet was monitored in the field. Differences in susceptibility between species were found to be consistent in all experimental systems. All intercrop species were susceptible to R. solani. Brassica rapa and R. sativus were less susceptible than P. tanacetifolia. Compared to fallow, the cultivation of B. rapa and R. sativus reduced disease severity in subsequently grown sugar beet (median ratings of up to 3·0 and 3·5, respectively, depending on environmental conditions). This resulted in higher white sugar yield compared to fallow (up to 210% and 157% for B. rapa and R. sativus, respectively). This study demonstrates that in vitro and greenhouse resistance tests are suitable systems to predict the effects of intercrop species susceptibility in the field on disease severity and white sugar yield in subsequently grown sugar beet. Intercrop breeding programmes might profit from fast and efficient screening tests to provide Rhizoctonia‐resistant intercrops as an additional control measure against R. solani in sugar beet.     

Weed Suppression of Living Mulch in Sugar Beets

Weed suppression in sugar beets (Beta vulgaris.) is commonly achieved with two to three post-emergent herbicide applications across the entire field. Field studies were performed, in order to investigate the weed suppressing ability of Medicago lupulina, Trifolium subterraneum and a mixture of Lolium perenne and Festuca pratensis as living mulches in sugar beet at four locations in South Germany during 2014 and 2015. Living mulches were sown 2 and 30 days after sowing (DAS) of sugar beet. Weed densities ranged from 0 to 143 plants m^?2 with Chenopodium album, Polygonum convolvulus and Polygonum aviculare being the most abundant weed species. It has been found that living mulches could reduce herbicide input up to 65?%. Weed suppression of living mulch was highest with Trifolium subterraneum (71?%). The early sown living mulches (2 DAS) revealed a 28 g m^?2 higher biomass compared to late sowing (30 DAS). However, no any linear correlation was found between living mulch biomass and weed suppression. White sugar yield (WSY) was highest in the herbicide treatments (12.6 t ha^?1). Trifolium subterraneum yielded the highest WSY of the living mulches with 11.1 t ha^?1 across all locations. Our work reveals that living mulch can play a major role in integrated plant protection by reducing herbicides in sugar beet production.     

High activities and mRNA expression of pyrophosphate-fructose-6-phosphate-phosphotransferase and 6-phosphofructokinase are induced as a response to Rhizoctonia solani infection in rice leaf sheaths

Rice sheath blight disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn results in significant yield and quality losses in rice growing areas worldwide. The glycolytic pathway is important in the resistance response to R. solani infection in rice. This study examined one of the regulatory steps in this pathway catalyzed by pyrophosphate-fructose-6-phosphate-phosphotransferase (PFP) and 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK). PFP and PFK activity in R. solani-infected rice plants increased. The mRNA expression of PFP/PFK isozymes showed that PFK 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the resistant line at 1 dpi were high as compared to the gradual increase observed in the expression of all PFP isozymes. Also PFK 1, PFK 3, PFK 4, PFK 5, PFP 2 and PFP 5 were adaptive to sheath blight disease infection and linked to defence response while, the expressions of PFK 2, PFP 1, PFP 3 and PFP 4 although adaptive, were not specific to R. solani infection. These observations provide evidence that (a) both PFP and PFK have isozymes that play an adaptive role after R. solani infection but while those of PFK are expressed at higher levels within a short time after infection those of PFP are expressed gradually, (b) the adaptive activation of PFP in R. solani-infected rice plants is correlated with the paired expression of its α- and β-subunits as shown by PFP 2 and PFP 5, and (c) the expression of some α-subunits is not specific to R. solani infection as shown by PFP 1, PFP 3 and PFP 4.     

Biologische Bek?mpfung des R��benzystennematoden Heterodera schachtii

The beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii is widely spread among sugar beet habitats with narrow crop rotation (especially in the warmer region of the Rhine Gorge). Without a consistent control management the economic efficiency of sugar beet cultivation under the current framework requirements is threatened. This problem is solved by the biological control using nematode-resistant oil radish or mustard which has been established during the last 25 years. Population of nematodes can be reduced up to 70% while maintaining the sugar beet yield on a high level. Big plot studies achieved a yield increase of 10?C15% thereby confirming the economic efficiency of nematode control measures using resistant undersown crops. Another starting point for problem solving lies within the cultivation of nematode-resistant sugar beet varieties. Currently, the sugar content and sugar yield of these varieties lie below the level of the standard varieties. Without nematode infection reduction in grain yield of approximately 10% must be accepted. Thus, cultivation is only economically reasonable in the infection areas. Heterodera schachtii is decreased by 60?C70%. Breeding of nematode-resistant sugar beet varieties has been the last step up to now. Already with low latent nematode infection these varieties clearly outbalance previous grain yields. A study series in 2009 showed an increase in sugar yield by an average of 10?C18% compared to the normal variety by cultivation of tolerant beet with latent nematode infection. Despite further developments in control management of tolerant/resistant beet, the culturing of resistant undersown crops remains up to date as these varieties, although only to a small degree, suffer from Heterodera schachtii.     

Diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> species associated with root rot of sugar beet in China

Sugar beet is widely grown throughout the world and represents the second largest crop used to produce sugar. Root rot in sugar beet, caused by Fusarium, significantly reduces yield, juice purity, and sugar concentration. Here, 307 Fusarium isolates were collected from sugar beet roots exhibiting typical root rot symptoms in eight provinces or autonomous regions of China from 2009 to 2012. Based on morphological characteristics and sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the translation elongation factor 1α (EF-1α), Fusarium oxysporum (38.4%) was identified as the most prevalent species, followed by F. solani (20.9%), and F. equiseti (18.9%). These three species were widely distributed in all eight of the provinces and autonomous regions. F. tricinctum (5.9%), F. brachygibbosum (4.6%), F. redolens (3.3%), F. proliferatum (3.3%), F. graminearum (2.3%), F. verticillioides (1.6%), F. nygamai (0.7%), and F. culmorum (0.3%) were less frequently obtained. Of the 307 Fusarium isolates, 117 representing different species and geographic locations were demonstrated to cause tip rot and vascular discoloration in sugar beet roots, with disease incidence ranging from 84.2 to 100.0% and disease index ranging from 41.94 to 75.83. This is the first detailed report of Fusarium species, in particular F. tricinctum, F. brachygibbosum, F. redolens, F. proliferatum, F. nygamai, and F. culmorum, causing sugar beet root rot in China.     

Effects of isolate virulence and host susceptibility on development of early blight (Alternaria solani) on tomato*

Early blight of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) caused by Alternaria solani has the potential to become one of the most serious diseases throughout the tomato‐producing regions of Greece. Controlled environment experiments were conducted to study the virulence of A. solani isolates and the susceptibility of commercial tomato cultivars and hybrids to early blight. The isolates used, derived from naturally infected tomato plants during the period 1997/1998, differed significantly (P>0.05) in the rate of mycelial growth as well as in their ability to sporulate in vitro. No correlation (R²= 0.33) was found between mycelial growth and conidia production. Isolates of A. solani were virulent to young tomato plants (cv. Ace 55VF), although they differed significantly (P>0.05) in the intensity of symptoms produced on leaves, stems, petioles and flowers. Defoliation was linearly related (R²= 0.87) to the percentage of leaf area with symptoms. Twenty‐three tomato cvs. or F₁ hybrids were evaluated for their susceptibility to early blight. The cultivars or hybrids were arbitrarily categorized as immune, highly tolerant, tolerant, moderately tolerant, susceptible and highly susceptible based on a percent disease index range: 0%, 1‐9%, 10‐24%, 25‐49%, 50‐74% and 75% or more respectively. None of the cultivars or hybrids tested was immune or tolerant to A. solani infection.     

Impact of foliar nickel application on urease activity,antioxidant metabolism and control of powdery mildew (Microsphaera diffusa) in soybean plants

Nickel (Ni) is a cofactor for urease, an enzyme that breaks down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological impact of Ni on urea, antioxidant metabolism and powdery mildew severity in soybean plants. Seven levels of Ni (0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 g ha^?1) alone or combined with the fungicides fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin were applied to soybean plants. The total Ni concentration ranged from 3.8 to 38.0 mg kg^?1 in leaves and 3.0 to 18.0 mg kg^?1 in seeds. A strong correlation was observed between Ni concentration in the leaves and seeds, indicating translocation of Ni from leaves to seeds. Application of Ni above 60 g ha^?1 increased lipid peroxidation in the leaf tissues, indicative of oxidative stress. Application of 40 g ha^?1 Ni combined with 300 mL ha^?1 of fungicide reduced powdery mildew severity by up to 99%. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and urease enzyme activity were greatest under these conditions. Urea concentration decreased in response to Ni application. Urease activity in soybean leaves showed a negative correlation with powdery mildew severity. The leaf Ni concentration showed a positive correlation with the urease and a negative correlation with powdery mildew severity. The results of this study suggest that urease is a key enzyme regulated by Ni and has a role in host defence against powdery mildew by stimulating antioxidant metabolism in soybean plants.     

Resistance to Rhizoctonia solani AG‐2‐2 (IIIB) in creeping bentgrass plants transformed with pepper esterase gene PepEST

A pepper esterase (PepEST) gene was introduced into creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation. Purified recombinant PepEST proteins were sufficient to inhibit the growth of the fungal pathogens Rhizoctonia solani AG2‐2 (IIIB) (causing brown patch) and Sclerotinia homoeocarpa (dollar spot), but not the oomycete responsible for pythium blight, Pythium aphanidermatum. PepEST proteins were most effective against R. solani. After genetic transformation of creeping bentgrass with PepEST, the genomic integration of transgenes bar and PepEST was confirmed by Southern blot analysis, and their expression was also validated by northern blot and western blot analyses. Disease severity on R. solani‐inoculated leaves of transgenic plants was <10% compared to ca. 50% in non‐transgenic plants. Microscopic observation of infected leaves indicated that PepEST inhibited the growth of hyphae upon fungal infection.     

Identification of sugar beet germplasm EL51 as a source of resistance to post-emergence Rhizoctonia damping-off

Resistance of sugar beet seedlings to Rhizoctonia damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani has not been described. A series of preliminary characterisations using a single susceptible host and four different R. solani isolates suggested the disease progression pattern was predictable. Two AG-4 isolates and a less virulent AG-2-2 isolate (W22) showed a comparable pattern of disease progression in the growth chamber where disease index values increased for the first 5–6 days, were relatively constant for the next 7–8 days, and declined thereafter. Seedlings inoculated with a highly virulent AG-2-2 isolate (R-1) under the same conditions showed similar patterns for the first 4 days post-inoculation; however disease index values continued to increase until seedling death at 13–14 days. Similar results were observed in the greenhouse, and a small expanded set of other germplasm lines were screened. One tested germplasm accession, EL51, survived seedling inoculation with R. solani AG-2-2 R-1, and its disease progress pattern was characterised. In a field seedling disease nursery artificially inoculated with R. solani AG-2-2 R-1, seedling persistence was high with EL51, but not with a susceptible hybrid. Identification of EL51 as a source of resistance to Rhizoctonia damping-off may allow investigations into the Beta vulgaris–Rhizoctonia solani pathosystem and add value in sugar beet breeding.