Beets are a cool-season crop; they are best suited for temperate climate and winter seasons. However, beet crop can be grown in warm climate also. However, when beets are grown under cool climatic conditions, the roots will have high sugar content. Beets can be grown throughout the year under protected cultivation practices.
Effect of Sun Light and Temperature on Beet Plants: Direct sunlight is not preferred by the plants. Beet plants perform well in partially-shaded locations. Extreme climatic conditions must be avoided for its growth. During summers, the crop has a tendency to develop seed stalks early and thus limiting the harvests to one or two leaf cuttings only. Temperature has also an effect on crop maturity and seed production. When temperature is below 10OC, beet plants tend to produce flowers and seeds and the roots will not develop to the full size.
Soil Requirements for Beet Plants: Beets are suited for all types of soils but well-drained, fertile clayey loam or sandy loam soils with a neutral pH are most suitable for its growth. The soil should be loose and porous enough to allow the roots to develop properly. Since the plant is highly sensitive to soil acidity, always try to keep the soil pH at neutral level (i.e. between 6.0 and 7.0).
Propagation: Beet plants are propagated by seeds. Approximately 100-200 grams of seeds is sufficient to raise a crop in an area of 500 square feet (i.e. approx. 5 – 6 kilograms per hectare). Sowing is done through broadcasting. Seeds are sown in nursery beds and/or in well-prepared open fields. Seeds germinate within 10 days. Thinning may be practiced when seedlings have two sets of leaves. Nursery-grown plants may be transplanted when they are 3-4 weeks old.
Planting: Recommended spacing in the main fields is 15 to 20 cm within the rows. Good spacing between plants facilitates weeding and intercultural operations. Soon after planting, filed is irrigated to keep the soil moist. Field may be mulched with a bio-mulch of dry grass or straw to conserve moisture.
Irrigation/Watering: Young plants may not require frequent watering; however established plants may require frequent watering as they have a shallow root system.
Manure and Fertilizer Requirements for Beet Plants: A basal dressing of 35 to 40 tons of farmyard manure/compost or any other locally available organic manure (per one hectare or 10, 000 square meter area) may be incorporated in the top soil at the time of field preparation to enhance soil fertility. Researches reveal that one ton of beet root crop removes 2.25 kg of nitrogen, 4.5 kg of phosphate and 4.5 kg of potash. If beet plants are grown for leaves, nitrogen (N) is needed in large amounts for the vigorous leaf production. A top-dressing of about 20 kg of nitrogen after every harvest gives quick leaf production.
Weed Control: During the initial stages of plant growth, weed control is necessary. Common salt is enough to control almost all kinds of weeds. 2 kilograms of common salt may be dissolved in 10 liters of water to make the natural herbicide for beet plants. First spraying may be done when the plants reach at 6-leaf stage or more.
Harvesting and Yield: Harvesting of the roots may be done when the roots are fully developed and attained marketable size. Beet roots are actually modified tap roots. The edible roots are actually tap roots swollen with stored carbohydrates and other nutrients.
It is always advisable to irrigate the fields before harvesting the beet roots. Watering the fields will loosen the soil prior harvest and harvesting process will become easier. Harvesting may be done with a spade and while harvesting extra care is necessary not to damage the harvested crop. Damaged beet roots invite various fungal rots and other infections and subsequently, the marketable and consumable quality of the beet roots will suffer.
It is estimated that approximately 20,000 to 25,000 kg beet roots may be harvested from one hectare (i.e. 10, 000 sq. m.) area.
Harvesting Beet Leaves: Harvesting is done by hand picking if the crop is small. For a large crop, harvest can be done by cutting the leaves from the base when the leaves are 15 to 30 cm long. Major harvesting considerations are tenderness and succulence of the leaves. Several harvests, up to four cuttings are possible during the seasons. Good quality beet leaves are tender and free of bruises and any other forms of damage. A healthy beet crop has quick rejuvenation ability after each harvest. In healthy and good quality crop, seed stalks will appear late, after harvesting season is over. Highest yield that can be obtained from a crop is about 5 tons or 5000 kg of green leaves per acre (i.e. approx. 4000 sq. m.)
Seed Production in Beets: Seed production is possible at higher altitudes more than 1200 meters above MSL (mean sea level). Since beets are cross-pollinated crop and mostly pollination happens by wind, a barrier should be made around the growing fields. It is estimated that an isolation distance of 1.5 km is sufficient for successful pollination process. Seed yield is about 2000 kg of seeds per hectare.
Some Interesting Facts about Beet Seeds: The beet seed is actually a fruit that contains about 2-6 kidney-shaped, brown seeds.
Insect Pest Management in Beet Plants: Beet plants are also susceptible to common insects such as leaf-miners, aphids, bugs, caterpillars, beet web worms, and flea beetles. These insects can be controlled by hand picking or by spraying any recommended organic insecticides such as pyrethrums. Spraying with nicotine sulphate or dusting with 0.2 to 0.3 % pyrethrum is best advised.
Beet leaves are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases. These are:
- Damping-off: Damping-off attacks nursery plants, i.e. the young seedlings immediately after the emergence. This disease can be controlled by treating the seeds with a recommended fungicide before sowing.
- Cercospora leaf spot: This disease produces brown, dead spots on the leaves and can be controlled by spraying any copper fungicides such as Bordeaux mixture.
- Mildew and rust: These diseases are not so common and can be partially checked by dusting sulphur and some copper fungicide.
- Crown Rot or Root Rot: This disease is caused by Rhizoctonia fungi. It affects the crown of the root and subsequently, the roots start rotting. Rotating beets with resistant crops such as onions and peas may control the disease effectively. Potato, tomato or lettuce should not be rotated with beets as these plants are also susceptible to Rhizoctonia rot.
Note: Since leafy greens are sometimes used for fresh food purposes, it is advised that not to use chemical fungicides for pest-disease control. There are a number of safe organic fungicides and pesticides that may be tried for pest-disease control in leafy greens.
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