FACTORS AFFECTING THE GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MONOGERM SUGAR BEET
2.2.3 Sugar beet breeding
Breeding sugar beet is complicated by its biennial habit which makes the period taken to produce new varieties much longer than with most other species. It is also an open or out pollinating crop which makes uniformity difficult to achieve. However, several methods of breeding can be used, e.g. mass selection where the largest and best shaped roots are selected to produce seeds which are planted and the best progeny selected for further seed production. The method can be used to reliably improve existing varieties when crossed with other plants with desirable characters. Other methods used singly or in various combinations include hybridization polyploidy and male sterile lines. Some of the main objectives in sugar beet breeding are:-
1 The monogerm character for commercial crops but multigerm pollinators are still necessary.
2 High sugar yield per ha as the best compromise between root yield and sugar %.
3 Low bolting tendency.
4 Good germination and early growth.
5 High purity.
6 Good root shape.
7 Disease resistance to virus yellows & downy mildew.
(Ellerton 1978).
FACTORS AFFECTING THE GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MONOGERM SUGAR BEET
[Introduction & Contents] [Chapter One] [Chapter Two] [Chapter Three] [Chapter Four] [Chapter Five] [Chapter Six] [Chapter Seven]
[2.1] [2.2.1] [2.2.2] [2.2.3] [2.2.4] [2.2.5] [2.2.6] [2.2.7] [2.2.8]
