Phytopathology

The department of Phytopathology conducts research into diseases and pests of sugar beet plants. This diverse field of expertise covers various weeds and pests. New diseases, caused for example by the emergence of new pathogens, as well as changes in the legal and social framework require flexible solutions and continuous adjustments in research.

Our research is always solution-orientated. Diagnostic procedures and resistance testing methods in the field and in the greenhouse support the selection work of plant breeders, enable the validated authorisation of sugar beet varieties with new traits and thus contributes to the development of sustainable plant protection methods.

Research projects aim to use basic research methods to improve our understanding of pathogen biology and host-pathogen interactions. Building on this, we develop solutions for phytopathological problems in sugar beet cultivation. This includes the characterisation of pathogen biology, pathogenicity factors and their population dynamics as well as the identification and characterisation of plant resistance factors.

Main research areas

• Resistance against yellowing viruses, especially Beet yellows virus

• Interactions between different yellowing viruses

• Stability of resistance against Cercospora

• Control of Syndrome basses richesses and Rubbery taproot disease

• RNA spray for the control of yellowing viruses

• Stability of resistance against Rhizomania

• Increasing the efficiency of modern sugar beet breeding technologies