Field trials suggest that integrating the biostimulant Innocul8 with fungicide programmes can enhance disease resilience and deliver yield gains in sugar and fodder beet crops.
With foliar diseases like Cercospora leaf spot becoming more problematic in beet crops, growers are increasingly looking for new ways to strengthen their spray programmes. Recent UK trials are shining a spotlight on the potential of biostimulants – specifically, Innocul8 – as a valuable partner to fungicides.
Trial highlights: sugar beet in Norfolk
At Stow Bedon in Norfolk, a sugar beet trial (variety BTS 1915 Ultra Pro) tested ten different fungicide-based treatments across four replicates. Fungicides were applied at the first sign of disease, followed by a second spray three weeks later. Disease assessments and yield measurements revealed that:
- Standard fungicides did the job on common foliar diseases.
- There was also a noticeable reduction in Cercospora expression where Innocul8 was used to support the fungicides programme, hinting at its ability to improve plant resilience.
Fodder beet in Somerset: a closer look at Cercospora
Further south, in Somerset, two fodder beet trials looked at 17 treatment combinations. The same A/B fungicide timing was used, and Cercospora was again the main disease target, with rust also monitored.
- Some fungicide mixes held up better than others over time.
- Treatments including Innocul8 once again showed reduced disease expression, particularly in the later stages of the season.
What does this mean for growers?
Across both sugar and fodder beet trials, Innocul8 consistently helped boost performance through yield uplift, better sugar content, or improved plant health. It’s thought to work by activating the plant’s natural defences, adding an extra layer of support to fungicides like Angle (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole).
The bottom line
Biostimulants are often met with mixed results, but in these trials, Innocul8 stood out. It is a strong candidate for inclusion in integrated spray strategies, to boost yield and quality and support plant health.
As production challenges continue to evolve, tools like Innocul8 could help growers get more from their crops, both above and below the ground.
