Beetroot

Beta spp.

1. Identification and origin

Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a species of the Amaranthaceae family that includes several cultivated groups: garden beet, chard, sugar beet and fodder beet. All derive from the wild form Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, native to the coastal areas of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The term Beta spp. is used to refer to the set of cultivated and wild forms of the genus.

2. Economic importance

Beet is of great agricultural and industrial importance. Sugar beet is responsible for about 20–25% of world sugar production. Garden beet is widely consumed as a fresh or processed vegetable, while chard is valued for its leaves. Fodder beet is used as animal feed. Europe is one of the main sugar beet producing regions.

3. Botanical characterisation

A biennial herbaceous plant (cultivated as an annual), with a taproot that may be thickened (garden and sugar beet) or elongated (fodder). The leaves are simple, alternate, with a long petiole and a blade ranging from green to dark red, depending on the cultivar. The inflorescences are dense spikes with small, greenish-yellow flowers, grouped in glomerules. The fruit is an utricle enclosed in a hardened set of perianths, forming the characteristic “seed clusters”.

4. Edaphoclimatic requirements

The crop adapts to temperate climates, preferring temperatures between 15–24 °C. It tolerates moderate cold but is sensitive to severe frosts in the early stages.
It requires deep, well-drained, fertile soils, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Acidic soils reduce root development. The crop needs good light and regular moisture, avoiding waterlogging that favours rots.

5. Main pests

• Aphids (Aphididae): transmission of viruses and reduction of vigour.
• Beet leaf miner fly (Pegomya hyoscyami): galleries in the leaves.
• Nematodes (Heterodera schachtii): reduced growth and root necrosis.
• Noctuids (caterpillars): partial defoliation.
• Flea beetles (Chrysomelidae): foliar perforations in seedlings.

6. Main diseases

• Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora beticola): circular leaf spots, one of the most important diseases of the crop.
• Powdery mildew (Erysiphe betae): white mycelium on the leaves.
• Root rots (Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium spp.): death of seedlings and crown rot.
• Beet yellows virus (BYV): chlorosis and reduced productivity.
• Rust (Uromyces betae): brown pustules on the leaves.

7. General crop management

Management includes crop rotation with non-amaranthaceous species, the use of certified seeds, weed control in the first weeks after emergence and balanced fertilisation, with attention to boron, essential to avoid internal root necrosis. Irrigation should be regular, avoiding sudden fluctuations that cause root cracks. Harvesting is carried out when the roots reach the desired calibre, avoiding delays that favour lignification.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Beta vulgaris.
• CABI Crop Compendium – Beta vulgaris.
• Biancardi, E., Campbell, L. G., Skaracis, G. N., & De Biaggi, M. (2010). Sugar Beet. Springer.
• Daunay, M. C., et al. (2009). Beetroot. In: Prohens & Nuez (Eds.), Handbook of Plant Breeding: Vegetables II. Springer.
• Draycott, A. P. (2006). Sugar Beet. Blackwell Publishing.