Factors Affecting Production Potentials and Adaptability of Sugar Beet Under Subtropical Conditions of Punjab

Abstract

AbstractSugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the second largest sugar crop in the world, after sugar cane. It is a short-term sugar crop (6–7 months). Of the various factors affecting its production potential under Indian conditions, the lack of information about the effects of cultivars, crop age, and environment on the beet root yield and quality has been the primary factor impacting the sugar industry and processing units. One of the processes about which we do not have a satisfactory understanding is sugar beet crop management with respect to its ripening and the effects of cultivars, crop age, and environment on that. The ripening of sugar beet is completed with the accumulation of sucrose in its roots, which is also influenced by environmental conditions like temperature and soil water deficits. Sugar beet ripening is a complex process, studies of the variables help in choosing better cultivars and time of planting, which is beneficial to farmers, breeders, sugar mills, and the scientific community associated with this crop. In several studies, it has been suggested that sugar beet ripening depends on a complex combination of environmental variables, the genetic potential of cultivars, and crop management practices. In this chapter, attempt is made to discuss the existing understanding of the environmental conditions and its interaction with the ripening of sugar beet, under the influence of cultivar traits and age of crop (time of planting) for its adaptability under subtropical conditions of Punjab.KeywordsSugar beetIndiaSubtropicalSucrose