Bruce Sundeen 0:00
This is the sugarbeet report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU. Throughout the sugarbeet growing season, sugar beet growers have a tiny adversary in the form of the sugar beet root maggot. This year their numbers have soared. Mark Boetel NDSU. Extension Entomologist has the latest information concerning the sugar beet root maggot Mark last year growers faced a 15 year high sugarbeet maggot population. What's the root maggot situation like this year,
Mark Boetel 0:29
Unfortunately, again this year, we have very high infestations in much of the valley. It's likely worse than last year, which was the 15 year high. We've really got a battle on our hands. We're well past peak now in all areas of the valley. But we do have some persistent what we might even call hotspots in the area. So still kind of a watch there that people should keep an eye on in case fields need to be retreated. The tallied numbers will be a little bit deceptive this year because of all the wind events that we had right around peak. So the first Valley wide peak appears to have happened between June 12 and 13th, which would be considered right on about average. But probably the true peak was a week later. Valley wide that's impacted by latitude The southern areas peak earlier. That would have been around the 19th and 20th of June. That wind also accompanied by stormy weather, probably impeded growers abilities to time that their insecticide applications correctly so that could have been a challenge for some growers.
Bruce Sundeen 1:38
Where are the hotspots this year? There are a lot of them.
Mark Boetel 1:41
And I don't really have all of them on the list here but this gives a good sampling that would be Auburn Argyle Bathgate, Cavalier, klimax Crookston, Crystal Drayton Glaston, the Grand Forks area, Hansel Hoople, Reynolds Saban, which is an older site, we've seen problems before, but that's kind of popped back on the map in a huge way this year. And then our traditional St. Thomas, and then Thompson as well.
Bruce Sundeen 2:08
What's going on with root maggot right now,
Mark Boetel 2:11
They're just getting in full swing, really, with the larval feeding injury. So plants that are in unprotected fields, or maybe those late planted fields for the plants are really small, those under heat stress will be wilting in some, unfortunately, the plants will be dying as well. There are a lot of those fields. So hopefully those late planted fields. So hopefully growers do have good protection on with an insecticide of some form. And then these sporadic rainfall events that we're having, that may certainly help save some of those fields.
Bruce Sundeen 2:45
Mark, can this year's problems guide growers and management decisions for next year?
Mark Boetel 2:50
They sure can. We know very well, where those hotspots are we're going to go into the fall and root injury rate those fields and so that'll give us a very good idea of what and where for the surviving group maggot larvae be really important for growers in affected areas to attend our winter grower seminars. We'll also create and post a forecast for next year, online at NDSU as well as in the production guide and other outlets. But growers in affected areas really need to get to our winter grower seminar so we can help give them good tips on how to manage this pest.
Bruce Sundeen 3:27
You have a plot tour coming up in a few weeks. What are some details,
Mark Boetel 3:31
Unfortunately, not as much detail as they'd like we're still trying to work out the exact timing but it'll be late July st. Thomas, North Dakota. It's the same section that we've had our plot tour for the last 10 plus years. Sort of probably be that last week in July. We've got 10 experiments on root maggot control, USDA will likely be presenting on their plant breeding research as well. And we'll have a free lunch and refreshments for people to enjoy as well.
Bruce Sundeen 3:59
And how can people get more information and directions to the tours?
Mark Boetel 4:03
Yeah, we'll be posting those as soon as we have the final details on timing on the NDSU route maggot fly counts page, as well as likely the sugar cooperatives we'll be posting the information as well.
Bruce Sundeen 4:18
Thanks Mark. Our guest this week has been Mark Boetel NDSU extension entomologist. This is the sugarbeet report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugarbeet growing season
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