Cicada alert! Stolbur is threatening sugar beets and potatoes in southern Germany

Cicada alert! Stolbur is threatening sugar beets and potatoes in southern Germany

Agriculture in Germany is facing a serious threat, particularly affecting the harvest of sugar beets and potatoes. How ka-news According to reports, the plant disease Stolbur, which is transmitted by the reed leafhopper, has spread alarmingly. This cicada is able to transmit the Candidatus Phytoplasma solani bacterium to various plant species, causing them severe damage.

The latest surveys show that the area affected by Stolbur in the sugar beet sector has increased from 40,000 hectares in 2023 to at least 75,000 hectares in 2024. This represents around a quarter of the total sugar beet cultivation area in Germany. Around 65,000 hectares of potato cultivation area have already been affected by the cicada, which results in massive yield losses. Farmers in Baden-Württemberg must expect yield losses of up to 25% for sugar beets and even up to 70% for potatoes.

Consequences for agriculture

The effects of Stolbur disease are far-reaching. The affected plants wilt, their roots and tubers take on a rubbery consistency, and both yield and quality of the crop decrease dramatically. In Baden-Württemberg the damage is estimated at millions of euros. Regions known for growing sugar beets, potatoes and various vegetables are particularly affected.

Given the current situation, experts warn that consumers may have fewer domestic potatoes available in the fall. Fortunately, the disease does not pose a health risk to humans because the affected products are not commercially available. At the same time, however, it is clear that the disease poses a serious economic threat to the entire agricultural region.

Climate change as a contributor

In addition, climate change favors the spread of the cicada, which multiplies rapidly in warm summers. These circumstances are forcing farmers to look for solutions to secure their yields. Farmers urgently demand effective control agents and more support in research to develop resistant plant varieties. Emergency approvals for plant protection products against the cicada are currently possible, but under strict requirements.

Agriculture is in a critical condition and it remains to be seen what measures will be taken to minimize the damage caused by Stolbur disease and protect yields. Boersennews adds that the situation is also fueling the political discussion about the use of pesticides and underlines the need to find innovative solutions to counteract this problem.