Fungal Diseases of Sugar Beet in Bayburt Province: Field Survey and Pathogen Characterization

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of the strategically important industrial crops in Turkey and is vulnerable to various biotic stress factors, particularly fungal pathogens that cause significant yield and quality losses. This study aimed to identify fungal pathogens and determine their prevalence in sugar beet cultivation areas located in the central district, Demirözü, and Aydıntepe regions of Bayburt Province. Survey studies were carried out in six agricultural fields, and plant samples showing disease symptoms were collected. Fungal isolates obtained from symptomatic plants were identified based on morphological and microscopic characteristics. The analyses revealed the presence of several fungal species across different locations: Fusarium oxysporum (BAA1-3) in Aşağıkırzı; Fusarium redolens (BDÇ1-1), Fusarium solani (BDÇ1-2), and Apiospora arundini (BDÇ1-3) in Çatalçeşme; Fusarium equiseti (BDŞ4-1), Trichothecium roseum (BDŞ1-4), and Fusarium proliferatum (BDŞ1-5) in Şirin; Rhizoctonia solani (BDG1-2) in Güneşli; and Fusarium acuminatum (BMÇ1-7) and Botrytis cinerea (BMÇ1-8) in Çayıryolu. These findings provide essential baseline data on the distribution and diversity of fungal pathogens affecting sugar beet cultivation in Bayburt Province and offer valuable insight for the development of effective, region-specific disease management strategies aimed at supporting sustainable production.