Yield and quality of sugar beet crown as well as leaf yieldof different sugar beet varieties and a fodder beet

Abstract

Since sugar beet varieties differ in beet yield and quality, varieties may exist which are more profitable for a harvest including the crown because of a larger crown with a better quality compared to other varieties. In 2009 and 2010 field trials with 8 sugar beet varieties and one fodder beet were conducted at 4 sites, and additionally a field trial with N application from 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha–1. At harvest the crown was removed manually below the green leaf scares, root and crown were analyzed separately. The results show that yield and quality of the crown have not changed in relation to the root during the breeding progress. Differences among varieties in yield and quality continue in the crown. Varieties can, therefore, be chosen according to the known variety characteristics also when the crown is harvested. For the use in the fermentation process the incorporation of the crown will result in yield increase which is similar for all varieties. There were only little differences in leaf dry matter and similar root to leaf ratios for the sugar beet varieties. Increasing N application caused an increase of the amino N and sodium concentration, which was more pronounced in the crown than in the root. The concentration of invert sugar, raffinose, betaine and glutamine was higher in the crown than in the root. However, changes were similar for all varieties. The effect of these changes in quality on the sugar recovery process can only be studied in processing experiments.