The disease is actually a complex of three viruses, spread by aphids and therefore very difficult to control. During 2020 UK growers suffered yield losses of up to 80%, making Virus Yellows disease the biggest current threat to the UK鈥檚 sugar beet sector.
NFU Sugar Board member Alison Lawson said Virus Yellows is 鈥渙ne of the biggest risks鈥� to her sugar beet growing business.
鈥淭he perfect storm of 2020 was devastating 鈥� we suffered yield losses of 30% across our planted area as well as drastic reductions in associated sugar content.
鈥淲e continue to battle against infection and crop losses, but with Virus Yellows representing a complex of three distinct viruses, this fight remains extremely challenging,鈥� she said.
The cross-industry Virus Yellows Taskforce, spearheaded by the British Beet Research Organisation, is investing millions of pounds each year in cutting-edge research into potential virus control measures.
鈥�Virus Yellows continues to constitute one of the biggest risks to my sugar beet growing business.鈥�
NFU Sugar Board member Alison Lawson
Protecting the sugar beet crop
Jointly produced by NFU Sugar, British Sugar, and the BBRO, 鈥楶rotecting the Sugar Beet Crop: The Homegrown Sugar Industry Virus Yellows Pathway鈥�, details the various workstreams, incorporating Integrated Pest Management and innovative grower practices, traditional breeding, gene editing, sustainable spray programmes, and seed treatments.
Read and download: 鈥楶rotecting the Sugar Beet Crop: The Homegrown Sugar Industry Virus Yellows Pathway鈥�
