Relationships between Taproot and Crown Characteristics and Yield and Quality Traits in Sugarbeets
1986
Campbell, L. G. | Cole, D. F.
Increasing the yield or quality, or both, of a crop through plant breeding or changing production practices is often futile if one does not have some knowledge of plant response to environmental changes. Data from 17 environments (years ✕ locations) and nine sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars were used as a basis for examining relationships among yield and quality characteristics and the corresponding changes in taproot and crown size and weight that occur over diverse environments. Root yield and sucrose loss to molasses were positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with sucrose concentration. Except for lateral root weight and taproot length, all taproot and crown characteristics were positively associated with root yield and sucrose loss to molasses and negatively associated with sucrose concentration. The only morphological characteristics significantly correlated with sucrose loss to molasses were crown traits. Canonical correlation indicated that the relationships among yield and quality traits were strongly associated with relative crown size. Much of the ability to respond to more favorable environments appeared to be related to the production of larger crowns. Root circumference increased as environment improved but not as markedly as crown length and weight. Increases in taproot length appeared to be associated with low yields, high sucrose concentrations, reduced circumference, and lower crowns.
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