The more aggressive strain of rhizomania first found around Woodbridge in Suffolk that can overcome current varietal resistance is spreading into new areas, Broom’s Barn researcher Mark Stevens reported.

Found in five fields in 2009, it has already been identified in over double that this season. “In UK conditions it decreases root weight by up to 50-60% and sugars by up to 4%.”

Molecular analysis of the strain had revealed it was a modified version of the “A” strain commonly found in the UK, and not the “P” strain, which was also more aggressive than the standard “A” and “B” types most commonly found in the UK, he said.