Optimization of the sugar beet protection system against main harmful organisms in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine

Abstract

To ensure effective protection of sugar beet crops against pests, diseases, and weeds, regular phytosanitary monitoring should be carried out in order to determine the dynamics of harmful organism development, their population density, and the correspondence of weather conditions to their biological and ecological characteristics. Based on the obtained data, forecasts of pest development should be elaborated to adjust the plans for pesticide application. To protect sugar beet seedlings from wireworms, larvae of winter cutworm, and adults and larvae of sugar beet weevil, the use of the granular insecticide Force 1.5 G at a rate of 5.0 l/ha simultaneously with sowing is recommended. If the economic threshold of harmfulness of sugar beet weevil adults is exceeded at the beginning of vegetation, application of the insecticide Stefotruta, EC, at a rate of 1.5 l/ha is advisable. To control annual and perennial grassy weeds, the herbicide Stefodim, EC, should be applied when annual grasses dominate at the 2–4 leaf stage. In case of significant couch grass infestation, the herbicide is applied when weeds reach a height of 10–15 cm at a rate of 0.5 l/ha. For the control of broadleaf weeds, the herbicide Stefam New, SC, at a rate of 1.0 l/ha is effective. To control the development of phomosis and prevent cercosporosis from the BBCH 20 growth stage, application of the fungicide Cerkoshtef, SC, at a rate of 0.5 l/ha is effective. In later growth stages, the development of cercosporosis and rust is controlled using the fungicide Stefstrobin, SC, at a rate of 0.5 l/ha.