Top > Databases > Illustrations of Plant
Sugar beet (polyembriony) [Beta vulgaris L.]
Plant
Plant
Plant
Plant
Plant
Seed
Flower
Flower
Flower
Flower
Root
Explanations
- Origin
- Wild species of Beta are found in wide area, i.e. around the Mediterranean Sea, West Asia and Northern Europe.
- Immediate origin is regarded as B. maritima. Cultivation for edible leaf and root has begun from 400 B.C..
- Breeding and cultivation for sugar-refining have begun from the late 18th century.
- Characteristics
- Sugar beet is biennial. It develops large roots the first year. Roots contain sucrose.
- Root shape is slender cone, and vary with variety and environment.
- Leaf shape is oblong or ovoid figure and leaves are lustrous.
- After vernalization, second year, Sugar beet develops a seed stalk and flowers.
- A single flower gives rise to monogerm seed, on the other hand cluster of flowers gives rise to a multigerm seed.
- Uses
- Sugar beet is cultivated for sugar-refining. Sugar beet roots contain 15-20 per cent sucrose.
- In Europe, Sugar beet is cultivated for alcohol-processing.
- Leaves, crowns and beet pulp are used for fodder.
