Innovations In Sugar Beet
- Multiple Resistance
- Making The Switch
- Beet Cyst Nematode
- Unbeatable Combination
- Integrated Crop Knowledge
- Biogas From Beet
Beet Cyst Nematode
Probably closer on the UK beet producer’s pest control horizon is beet cyst nematode. Here, KWS is the only breeder offering a degree of tolerance to the pest which is a major concern in Italy, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany.
Encouraged by closer rotations, and also by any oilseed rape in the rotation, beet cyst nematodes – even at low levels – restrict root growth and yields.
Dr Diener reports that even where the pest wasn’t thought to be present at levels that could do damage, that tolerant KWS varieties have produced a 5-10% yield response.
However, where the nematode is at high levels, for example in the North of France, yields can be cut by as much as 50-70% and across Europe KWS sold around 130,000 units last year. This will inevitably increase.
