The sugarbeet industry has a history of innovative solutions to pest problems.  Many of these solutions have involved cooperative efforts among sugarbeet growers and between the sugarbeet industry and other commodity groups.  The beet free system for control of sugarbeet yellows virus and the cross-commodity approach to curly top control have been models for other industries to follow.

The FQPA provides for the review of many pesticides considered essential for profitable sugarbeet production and may lead to their loss.  Previous pest management research in sugarbeets often has emphasized the use of these materials and is reviewed in the Pest Management Evaluation and some discussion on alternative low risk concepts of pest control.

The Pest Management Evaluation includes chapters on the important pests and diseases in sugarbeets and a summary of current control practices.  It discusses the various disease complexes as they relate to California's four sugar beet production areas.

This evaluation proposes a systems approach to stand establishment and post establishment pest control consistent with the goals of the FQPA.  Alternatives to the use of listed pesticides will be identified for the control of aphid and leafhopper transmitted viral diseases, and reduced risk methods for armyworm and associated foliar pests will be demonstrated substituting seed treatments for foliar and soil applied pesticides, evaluating the use of new weed control strategies, and providing for better assessment of economic thresholds for the control of foliar feeding insects during the stand establishment and main production phases.