Effect of subsoiling on the yield of sugar beet under conditions of rhizomania infection.

The rhizomania is known in Hungary since 1982. The causal agent, Beet necrotic yellow vein benyvirus (BNYVV) is transmitted by a soil-borne fungus Polymyxa betae Keskin. A field experiment was done under rhizomania infested and non-infested conditions to compare the yield parameters of five tolerant and four sensitive sugar beet hybrids. Tolerant varieties produced higher root yield under rhizomania infected conditions. The root yields of the sensitive varieties were similar to the tolerant ones on the uninfested field, but the root mass of some tolerant varieties exceeded the production of the former group. Subsoiling was carried out in two strips of a heavily infested field, while conventional soil cultivation was done on the other parts. There was not any other difference in the cultivation of the treated and control areas. Sugar beet root samples were collected at the time of harvesting from the subsoiled and control plots. Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) infection was tested by means of ELISA. Virus content, yield and yield parameters of samples were compared. There were no significant differences in virus infection between sugar beet roots derived from subsoiled and untreated plots. Ratio of BNYVV infected plants was about 90% in both areas. However, yield and yield parameters showed remarkable difference. Root yield of treated plots, calculated from average individual root weight and 80,000 plant/ha plant density exceeded by 140% the yield of control. Sugar content was 2.6% higher and the harmful non-sugar content was lower on the subsoiled plots. Owing to the favourable chemical and technological value of beet the white sugar content was approximately three-times higher on the treated area.