Survey of weed beet in sugar beet in England 1978–1981

The herbicides currently used in growing sugar beet are unable to differentiate between Beta seedlings sown as the crop and those which arise from seeds present in the soil. Many of the latter are prone to run to seed (bolt) in their first year, and, if not controlled, are likely to produce viable seeds that increase the soil-borne population. Nationally approximately 2·5% of the national sugar-beet fields were examined each year to assess the frequency of misplaced seedlings and bolters and their viable seeds. This survey showed that 18, 24, 22 and 27% of the fields in the years 1978–1981 respectively, were infested by Beta seedlings which had not been sown by the drill. The frequency of infestation decreased as the rotation lengthened and was less common on the peat soils. Compared with no treatment, handwork, which was most common method of control, halved the likelihood of viable seeds being produced. In spite of intensive publicity 40% of the fields remain untreated.