Beetroot, also known as beets or table beets, is a root vegetable that is typically deep red in color, although it can also come in other colors such as golden yellow and white. Beetroot is a rich source of various vitamins and minerals, including fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium, and manganese.
2. Beet root
โข Scientific name: Beta vulgaris L.
โข A cool season crop and is mainly consumed in the form of salad.
โข After sugarcane, it is the second most important crop for preparation
of sugar.
โข Root of beet are rich in protein, carbohydrate, minerals particularly
calcium and phosphorus.
โข The dark red color of beet root is due to the presence of red violet
pigment (ร-cyanins) and yellow pigment (ร-xanthin).
๏ถ Origin: native of Europe. But some believe that it might have
originated in Mediterranean region or Asia.
3. ๏ถVarieties:
โข Madhur (registerd variety and open pollinated. Recommended for terai and
hills), exotic varieties: Detroit dark red, Crimson Globe, Early Wonder,
Crosby Egyptian, etc.
๏ถClimate:
โข A cool season crop. Optimum temperature for root and color development
is 18-21ยฐC.
๏ถSoil and Filed preparation:
โข Well drained , deep and friable loam soil is best for cultivation
โข One deep ploughing followed by 2-3 light ploughing and planking is
recommended for its cultivation.
4. ๏ถManure and fertilizer:
โข 25 tons FYM, 120 kg N, 80 Kg P and 40 kg K per hectare should be
applied.
โข Half the dose of N and full dose of FYM, P and K should be applied as
basal dose. Remaining half N is top dressed 25 days after sowing.
๏ถTime of sowing: High hills: May-July; Mid hills: August-September;
Terai: September-October.
๏ถSpacing and Sowing:
โข Sown on ridges with rows 30-45 cm plant about 10-15 cm apart.
โข Pre sowing soaking of seeds in water stimulates germination.
5. ๏ถIrrigation:
โข Immediately after sowing, 5-6 irrigation during crop growing period is
essential for successful crop growth.
๏ถThinning:
โข Seed of beetroot is multigerm which produces 3-4 seedling per seed
ball.
โข Thing should be done when plant attain 3-4 leaves stages.
6. ๏ถInterculture and weed control:
โข Earthing up is essential to cover exposed roots.
โข Filed should be kept free from weed in first 2 months. One shallow
hoeing is needed without damaging the roots.
๏ถHarvesting and Yield:
โข Crop is ready to harvest in 55-70 days. Or, root of 3-5 cm diameters
are best for harvesting.
โข Average yield: 20-30 ton/ha having sucrose of 15-17%.
