TO THE QUESTION OF TECHNIC-TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT OF SELECTION AND SEEDING OF SUGAR BEET

Abstract

Sugar beets are the only source of sugar in Russia. The use of new highly productive varieties and hybrids of sugar beet with high sugar content can significantly increase sugar production. To ensure the country’s food security in sugar production and reduce import dependence on sugar beet seeds, the strategic task is to resume domestic selection of sugar beets and provide it with beet seeds for the country. One of the factors restraining the development of domestic selection and seed production is the physically and morally obsolete technical base of selection and seed-growing institutes, centers and farms. In the selection of sugar beets, non-transplanting, planting and transplanting (plug-in) methods for producing sugar beet seeds are used. Of great practical interest is the introduction of the plug-in method for producing seeds, in which thickened sugar beet crops are created, due to which the optimal specific yield of uterine root crops is ensured, the area of arable land is most effectively used and the cost of seed production is reduced. Moreover, in the struggle for light, moisture and nutrients, the most powerful biotypes survive. The analysis of machines for selection and seed production shows that commercially available machines in our country do not meet the requirements of the technology for producing sugar beet seeds using the plug-in method. It is necessary to create and implement specialized machines, such as bed-forming mills, seeders for creating a thickened sowing, machines for minting seed plants and removing pollinators. The lines used for sorting the plugs require additional manual selection of root crops and rejection of damaged, rotten or infected plugs. Machines for landing plugs require the use of monotonous manual labor. It is promising to conduct research in the direction of automating the processes of cleaning, sorting and planting of plugs, minting testes, and eliminating manual labor during these operations.