Pythium spp. is a quick growing fungus that primarily causes problems at the emergence. It survives mainly on dead plant material in the soil, and can attack several different crops. Substances from the germinating sugar beet plant attract the fungus and in humid and cold conditions it can easily kill the young seedling.

• Ensure good drainage. As a rule good drainage is a disadvantage for the fungus which needs damp conditions.
• Create the best conditions to give rapid emergence. A healthy plant growing well is not attacked as easily as a plant that has to struggle to emerge under difficult conditions.
• Use fungicide treated seed. It will give a certain degree of protection during emergence and in the following weeks.