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Sugar beets and related wild species – from collecting to utilisation
Sugar beets and related wild species – from collecting to utilisation
L. FRESE 1
Abstract
During the past two decades the interest in collecting and safeguarding Beta germplasm
has increased continuously. A new taxonomic system accepted by the largest
user group, the World Beta Network, is reported and commented here. Aspects of ex
situ management of Beta germplasm holdings are described and the threat of genetic
erosion in Beta ex situ as well as in situ is discussed. The establishment and improvement
of information systems and a core collection for Beta facilitate users’ access
to collections, today. Since mid of the 1980s researchers are screening collections
mainly in order to detect disease resistance. The total amount of disease
evaluation data recorded by GRIN and the IDBB is close to 7,400 data. Useful accessions
have been found and resistance traits are being introgressed or incorporated
into the sugar beet breeding pool.
Introduction
Cultivated beets are used for vegetable (leaf, petiole, root), forage and sugar production.
With a total world-wide production area of 6.96 million hectare in 1998
(HOLTSCHULTE 2000), the sugar beet is the most important crop amongst the cultivated
forms. Many beet pests and diseases are known (ANONYMOUS 1995); one of
the most important sugar beet disease is the leaf spot (Cercospora beticola) affecting
more than a third of all sugar beet fields world-wide (HOLTSCHULTE 2000). It can easily
be understood that the development and continued improvement of resistant cultivars
is of great importance to all sugar beet producing countries. The growing demand
for an environmentally sound agricultural production also promoted the search
for accessions with novel genes for disease resistance.
In addition to disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stress receives increasing attention.
On the background of the forecasted global climatic change it seems to be
prudent to start screening for drought tolerance in Beta already today. Higher tolerance
to salt stress plays a role in arid production areas. In particular wild beets
growing along the sea shores are known for their natural salt tolerance. Research
1
Federal Centre for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants (BAZ)
Gene Bank
Bundesallee 50
D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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