Cercospora beticola is the leaf spot disease in southern Europe that corresponds to Ramularia in northern Europe. The fungus prefers a warmer climate, but has appeared in Denmark in warm and humid summers. During the last few years, Cercospora has spread from southern to northern Germany and has become a problem. In cases of severe infection, Cercospora will "burn" down the sugar beet tops and resistant varieties are essential to combat this.

Hilleshög invests heavily in resistance breeding for Cercospora. We have a wide range of resistant varieties for the markets where Cercospora leaf spot is a problem.

• Maintain a good crop rotation, at least four years, as the fungus survives on plant debris in the soil.
• Avoid irrigation if a risk of attack exists.
• Choose varieties with good resistance.
• If approved crop protection products are available spraying pays dividends in cases of early infection