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to beet cyst nematode (BCN) and resistance to rhizomania. BCN is an increasing threat in the UK’s sugar beet growing areas. Jura provides tolerance without the depression in yield seen in earlier varieties. “Our trials experience in the UK and the message we keep getting from growers is how important low bolting and consistent performance are,” says Mr Robinson. “That is why we continue to see a large part of the UK sugar beet crop sown with SESVanderHave varieties, such as Firefly, Bloodhound and Aurora.”
Rhizo resistant Welcoming the new RL, Strube UK managing director Richard Powell (right) said: “We are delighted that our new variety Gauguin, which has rhizomania resistance and BCN tolerance, has joined the List this year. Gauguin is an excellent demonstration of the breeding advances that have been made, with a BCN tolerant variety delivering sugar yields equal to and greater than many leading varieties.” Mr Powell also pointed out
that, with the further loss of crop protection chemistry, good bolting resistance in varieties will now be of increasing importance. “The ability to drill a variety earlier, without the risk of undue bolting, will increase in significance. This is so that we can achieve sugar beet plants with 12 true leaves by early May, making the plants much less attractive to aphids. Growers should now be concentrating on early bolting resistance more than ever,” he explained. “Gauguin, with very low early sown bolting (the lowest of any Listed variety in 2017) is an excellent choice for early drilling. This character, combined with its high sugar yield and BCN tolerance, makes it a good, high-value choice to enable growers to address and mitigate future threats. “After a record breaking year for sugar beet in 2017, when extraordinary yields were achieved with varieties like Haydn; the majority of this year’s crop has had to be drilled late into what, in many cases, are pretty poor seedbeds. We will see what the season brings. Sugar beet is
a remarkable crop, well known for its ability of surprising us with its yield, tenacity and recovery.” The RL/DL table can be found on the BBRO website (bbro.co.uk) along with the supplementary
tables showing the three-year data for the varieties, plus seed provenance, vernalisation experienced in the early sown bolter trials over the last three years and juice impurities. ■
New energy beet raises gas yields AD growers have a new energy beet to consider for 2018 with Eloquenta KWS offering higher dry matter yields some 16 per cent above that of industry standard, Gerty KWS. In addition to its high dry matter content of 24.65 per cent, it offers a low dirt tare. Compared with Beretta, a feed beet also from KWS that has proved popular with AD operators because of its high dry matter yields, Eloquenta KWS has a dirt tare nearly 20 per cent lower at roughly 518g/kg DM. “The variety is the next step in our breeding programme designed to bring high dry matter yields which in turn bring high gas yields per ha,” says KWS sugar beet UK-country manager Ben Bishop. “Where the biogas operator wants high DM content, high yields and low dirt tare then Eloquenta KWS can offer it all.” “Alongside high dry matter, we recognise the difficulties growers have at harvest in keeping soil off their beet and in the field. An important breeding characteristic is the production of a smooth skinned beet with a reduced ‘root groove’ and as a result, our best variety is Cindy KWS followed by Gerty KWS,” he adds. Introduced in 2011, Gerty KWS combines high DM yields with low dirt tares and on the back of its consistency over contrasting seasons, it has been widely adopted on farm. “Gerty KWS sits slightly higher out of the ground than other varieties and this, combined with its smooth skin, serves to minimise dirt tares. We expect it to retain its place as a favourite variety of AD growers,” says Mr Bishop.
JURA HIT THE PEAKS! Our NEW sugar beet variety JURA scales the twin peaks of yield and lower bolting*. When you’re exposed to the elements you need reliable performance, and with tolerance to Beet Cyst Nematode and resistance to Rhizomania there ain’t no mountain you can’t climb with JURA. * Full data set for the 2019 BBRO Sugar Beet Recommended List www.bbro.co.uk
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