Sugar and fodder beet species have significant differences. They can be noticed if you pay attention to the external and taste characteristics, yield and growing conditions. You can find out about this, as well as about the purposes of application and the growing season of root crops, while reading this article.
Beetroot Description
First you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of vegetables:
What is the difference between fodder and sugar crops?
There are many criteria by which you can determine which type of beet is in front of you. Below are the most informative of them.
The appearance of the root crop
The first thing you should pay attention to how the vegetable looks. This is the easiest and fastest way and is easy to remember. There are a number of predominant characteristics for each group.
What you need to know about fodder beets:
- Skin. It is colored orange or scarlet.
- The form. Mostly rounded.
- Leaves. They grow at 30-40 per outlet. They are deep green, oval.
Features of sugar root crops:
- Skin. Grayish or light colored.
- The form. Oblong.
- Leaves. They have long petioles matching the color of the fruit. The socket is thick, 50 or more sheets.
Growing season
This term refers to the period required for plants to fully ripen. It can also differ within cultivars.
But above all, you need to consider the differences between cultures:
- Aft. It grows in 4-5 months.
- Sugar. It takes much longer to harvest. It takes from 5 months to six months.
Despite the extended growing times, sweet varieties of root crops have a higher nutritional value.
Growing conditions
The formation of these types of culture requires careful care. Otherwise, the plants may die.
If you plan to plant fodder beets, you need to pay attention to:
- Priming. A soil with low acidity and high fertility is suitable.
- Crop rotation. Plant after legumes and cereals.
- Care. Root crops need regular watering.
- Temperature. Should not fall below -5.
When planting sugar varieties, consider:
- Priming. Better to use peat or black soil.
- Crop rotation. The best predecessors are wheat or barley.
- Care. The root system is more developed, therefore root crops do not need frequent watering. But you need to take care of insect repellents and good fertilizers.
- Temperature. Not lower than -8 degrees.
Sugar beet is considered less whimsical, but at the same time needs special protection.
Productivity
The following are the beet yield standards that can be obtained if the growing conditions are met. With a poor climate and improper plant care, indicators can decrease, regardless of the selected root crop variety.
What are the average rates:
- Stern. It is considered more productive. Up to 60 tons of vegetables are obtained from 1 hectare.
- Sugar. It is rarely possible to get more than 30 tons per hectare.
Growth depth
One more way to distinguish root vegetables just by looking at them. What to look for:
- Stern. Vegetables rise slightly above the soil surface.
- Sugar. The fruits are completely sunk into the ground, only leaves are visible from above.
If the beets have already been removed from the soil, you can look at the root system:
- Stern. Short process, rarely exceeding the size of the vegetable in length.
- Sugar. The roots can be up to 1-1.5 m and reach the groundwater level, which provides additional nutrition.
Chemical composition
This parameter affects the taste and useful properties of vegetables. It is determined during laboratory examination and allows you to make an assumption about the field of application of root crops.
What elements emit:
- Protein. It is greater in feed varieties (0.8%) than in sugar (0.3%).
- Water. It also prevails in the farming culture - 85% compared to 75%.
- Sugar. It is more in sweet forms - about 20%.
Both varieties of root vegetables contain fiber, cellulose and ash.
The purpose of growing
This parameter needs special attention when choosing a variety for cultivation. This is the only way to get beets that will be useful on the farm.
What is the difference:
- Stern. It is not suitable for human consumption, since it has a specific smell and taste. Designed for feeding livestock. It is an irreplaceable source of vitamins and energy, especially in winter. The fruits and leaves of vegetables are used. Animal excrement that remains after digestion is used as fertilizer.
- Sugar. As the name implies, it is necessary for the extraction of sugar. They also make sweet molasses, which is used in brewing and creating sauces. Pies are made from sugar fruits, and jam is made. The tops and cake, which remain after processing, are allowed to feed livestock.
Knowing the difference between feed and sugar crops can be helpful in choosing the right variety. It should be remembered that varieties differ in terms of growing conditions and timing. This will help to avoid mistakes and get a good root crop.
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Russia. City: Dimitrovgrad
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