New Tool for Sugar Beet Fungi Discovery Near

September 1, 1999

USDA scientists have developed a way to quickly identify any of six major fungi types that attack sugar beets. Each disease can cause multimillion dollar losses. The process uses DNA probes that detect unique DNA segments for each fungal type.

With the new system, scientists don"t have to isolate fungi from diseased roots or leaves and spend day culturing them before they"re identified. The new diagnostic process can be completed in eight hours.

Further research aims to narrow the fungi"s identification by species as well as genus. Another goal is to use the technology to analyze fungi in field soils as well as plant samples. By knowing soil infestation levels, farmers could decide when and where to rotate crops.

The scientific contact on the project is John Weiland, Sugarbeet and Potato Research, ARS Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center, Fargo, ND. Phone: (701) 239-1373; fax (701) 239-1349, or on the Internet at weilandj@fargo.ars.usda.gov.