ARS | Publication request: A Primer: Sugarbeet Breeding and Genetics

Submitted to: The Sugarbeet Grower
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 30, 2010
Publication Date: May 3, 2010
Citation: McGrath, J.M. 2010. A Primer: Sugarbeet Breeding and Genetics. The Sugarbeet Grower. 49(4):14-16.

Technical Abstract: Growers, agriculturalists and researchers are acutely aware of the performance of different sugar beet varieties in their areas. In Michigan, research on variety performance is conducted by Michigan Sugar Company as part of its variety approval system. Seed companies submit their most promising materials for variety testing, and of these, a few may be approved according to publicized selection criteria. This primer is intended as an introduction from a breeding standpoint. Considerations include the history of the crop, the genetics of breeding and agronomic characters, and the potential impact of new technologies. It is probably well understood that breeding new varieties is a time-consuming effort, often taking in excess of 10 years before germplasm with new characters is available to growers as new varieties.