Rhizomania of Sugar Beet

Rhizomania, a virus disease caused by beet necrotic yellow vein virus, is one of the most economically limiting diseases of sugar beets wherever it occurs worldwide. It was first reported in Italy in 1959 and is now widespread throughout Europe. In the United States, it was first reported in sugar beets in California in 1984. It was first identified in Nebraska in 1992 and now has been identified in every major sugar beet production region in the country.