FACTORS AFFECTING THE GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MONOGERM SUGAR BEET


2.2.5 Commercial seed production

 

Sugar beet seed is usually grown away from root crops because of downy mildew and virus yellows carry over and possible pollen contamination from bolters (Scott & Longden 1973).  Most of the seed used for root crops is triploid hybrid monogerm which is produced by mixing and then sowing together an inbred diploid male sterile monogerm, and a tetraploid multigerm to act as a pollinator. The mixed progeny is mechanically separable into triploid Monogerm and multigerm seed (Johnson 1980, personal communication).

 

When seed crops are in flower problems such as pollen contamination from weed beet, wild relatives or low fertilisation overall due to unsuitable weather can occur, but the amount of viable seed produced can be low for a number of reasons even if good fertilisation is achieved (Scott & Longden 1973), (Battle & Whittington 1969a).  The maturity of the fruit at harvest can affect seed performance.  More mature fruits have better developed embryos and a lower concentration of germination inhibitors (Scott & Longden 1973) and should therefore give better establishment of the root crop.

 

The actual numbers maturing at harvest depends on the season and the date harvested.  Wet seasons delay rate of maturing and often seed is harvested early to reduce losses by windshake. Tekrony & Hardin (1969) looked for the location of under-developed seed on seed plants and found them on all parts but their occurrence was more frequent on tertiary lateral branches.  Field removal is therefore not possible and it is also difficult to do so in processing unless there is a relationship between "seed" size and under-developed seeds.

 


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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]