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ARS Home » Midwest Area » East Lansing, Michigan » Sugarbeet and Bean Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #134811
Title: AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF SMOOTH ROOT RELEASES AND PROSPECTIVE RELEASES - 2001

Author
item McGrath, Jon
item Duckert, Timothy

Submitted to: Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Research Report
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Performance evaluations for standard agronomic parameters as well as root suture prominence score were conducted on 10 experimental and two standard commercial hybrids. Recoverable White Sugar per Acre (RWSA) was the most useful yield measurement. It was apparent that gains have been made in increasing sucrose concentration in the more recent smooth-root germplasm lines. For instance, early releases SR80, SR87, and SR93 had lower sucrose values, and the recent release SR94 as well as SR96 and SR97, approach commercial sucrose values. EL0204 is a smooth-root selection from crosses between rhizomania resistant germplasm and smooth-root germplasm, and showed high RWSA values. This line will be released to industry. The goal of increasing sucrose percentage in smooth-root germplasm has been substantially achieved. The major drawback of smooth-root germplasm is a lack of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot resistance. Thus, the combination of smooth-root, high sucrose, and Rhizoctonia resistance is an essential breeding goal.