Dataset of the changes in sugarbeet taproot cell wall composition, firmness, and cell wall-related gene expression as a function of postharvest storage time and temperature

Authors: LAFTA, ABBAS - North Dakota State University; FINGER, FERNANDO - North Dakota State University; MORIN, MERCEDES - North Dakota State University; NATWICK, MARI - North Dakota State University; Bolton, Melvin; Fugate, Karen

Submitted to: Data in Brief
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/9/2026
Publication Date: 4/25/2026
Citation: Lafta, A., Finger, F., Morin, M., Natwick, M., Bolton, M.D., Fugate, K.K. 2026. Dataset of the changes in sugarbeet taproot cell wall composition, firmness, and cell wall-related gene expression as a function of postharvest storage time and temperature. Data in Brief. Volume 66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2026.112782.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2026.112782

Interpretive Summary: Cell walls are complex multicomponent structures that provide mechanical support to sugarbeet taproots and limit the physical damage caused by harvest and piling operations. Cell walls additionally create barriers between cells and the external environment which restrict pathogen entry, reduce water loss, and affect sugarbeet root processing efficiency and sugar yield by influencing slicing resistance, sucrose extractability, and sugar recovery. During storage, sugarbeet cell walls are known to undergo physical and chemical changes that cause roots to soften, increase in susceptibility to storage pathogens, dehydrate, and become increasingly difficult to process. The specific molecular changes responsible for these cell walls changes, however, are largely unknown. Experiments were conducted to document the changes in tissue strength, expression of genes that participate in the modification of cell walls, and concentrations of the major classes of chemical compounds that compose cell walls in sugarbeet roots following short-term and long-term storage under favorable and unfavorable temperature conditions. The collected data provide new information regarding the molecular processes that occur following harvest that affect sugarbeet root storability and processing quality. This information is potentially useful for identifying molecular targets that can be selected or manipulated for improved storage and processing properties.

Technical Abstract: The physical and chemical properties of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) cell walls influence the susceptibility of harvested roots to physical damage, pathogens, and dehydration during storage. Cell wall properties also influence sugarbeet root processing efficiency and sugar yield. Cell wall properties are generally known to deteriorate during postharvest storage with detrimental effects on root processing. The specific biochemical and genetic changes responsible for these changes, however, are largely uncharacterized. Data were collected of the changes in tissue strength, expression of genes that participate in the biosynthesis, degradation or modification of cell walls, and the concentrations of the major classes of chemical compounds that compose cell walls in harvested sugarbeet roots at harvest and following 12, 40, and 120 d storage at 5 °C and 95% relative humidity or 12 °C and 95% relative humidity. Penetrometry was used to measure tissue strength; gene transcript abundances were determined by RNA sequencing; cell walls isolated from homogenized tissue were weighed and fractionated allowing quantification of total cell wall material and determination of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and lignin concentrations. Pectin fractions were further subdivided and concentrations of water-soluble, chelator-soluble, and carbonate-soluble pectins were determined. This dataset describes and quantifies the genetic and biochemical changes occurring in cell walls following harvest which affect sugarbeet root storability and processing quality and is potentially useful for identifying biochemical and genetic targets that can be selected or manipulated for improved storage and processing properties.