Beetroot

Cultures and produces - Vegetable crops - Beta vulgaris var. esculenta

Vegetable crops

Zone géo origine : Mesopotamian Basin

Germination days : 7 to 10 days

T° germination : 5 to 35°C, Optimal 10 to 25°C

T° du sol à la plantation : 10°C

Conservation graines : 3 to 5 years

Rendement : 3 kg/m"kg/m" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property.

Densité : 5 x 20 cm direct sowing, 30 x 20 cm planting

(header image; author : Rasbak)

Production

Beetroot seeds can be sown directly in the field or in the greenhouse with a single-row drill, generally in compost (about 5 cm) to create a mulch mulch and limit soil movement and weed and therefore the emergence ofweed seeds.

Preparing the soil

At the start of the season, a tarpaulin cover prior to cultivation can limit weed growth. Foliage mobilises many of the nutrients that the plant needs (50% for nitrogen and 40% for phosphorus). So the production of bunches of beet export more. A compost before planting can be beneficial to the crop for the crop, especially in the case of direct seeding giving a clean seedbed and limiting weed growth. weed growth. In the planting itinerary, a tarpaulin with a hole in it can be laid to transplant the clods.

Planting

Beetroot on compost

For direct seeding, it is best to have a fairly fine seedbed, laid with with :

• Spreading compost (minimum 5 cm). Here, the compost is used both to cover the soil to prevent weeds from emerging and as a seedbed. The seedbed must be fine and even. If a seed drill is used, the pieces of wood in the compost must be removed so that the drill does not "jam".
• Rolling the seed to press it into the soil can encourage germination.

Sowing with a drill is recommended, every 5 cm on the row and 20 cm between rows. As the germination rate of glomerules is irregular so sow more thickly.

Crop monitoring

Beetroot on straw

Sowing at the right density avoidsthinning.

However, if sowing is too thick and you want to obtain large sizes quickly, you need to thin to one plant every 5 cm. At the same time, weed control can be carried out at the two-three leaf stage. Then mulch between the rows to limit weed growth. weeds. Beetroot can tolerate weeding at the end of the end of the crop. Another solution for avoiding thinning is to sell beetroot in bunches with the first small beetroot. beetroot; this acts as a thinning-out and the plants This acts as a thinning-out and the plants left in place will produce larger sizes.

Irrigation

Beetroot is drought-resistant thanks to its deep root system. deep root system.Irrigation is only necessary in dry periods and if the soil is dry to avoid deterioration in taste quality and harvest yield. of the harvest.

Harvesting

The bunches are harvested by hand as soon as the size is by pulling off the stalk and bundling. The bunches can be soaked incold water to improve preservation of the foliage. improve the conservation of the foliage. For beetroot : harvest before the firstfrosts, which cause marks on the foliage. frosts, which cause marks on the roots, and remove the leaves. beets. Sorting according to size and condition condition ensures better preservation.

Beet size

Tip

The size of the beet is a good indicator of of the soil's ability to transfer its fertility to vegetables.

Storage

Like other root vegetables, beetroot can be stored can be stored in a variety ofcool conditions :

• In the field (beware of the risk of frost, field mice, etc., which can lead to significant losses)
• In sand trays
• In the cellar in paloxes/crates
• In in-ground or above-ground silos (in nets or micro-perforated bags of compost)
• In cold storage

Beware of rodents and pests that find these vegetables vegetables in the middle of winter.

Storage temperature : Ideally 2 to 4°C, otherwise 10 to 15°C. Under the right conditions, beetroot can be stored for up to stored for up to 6 months.

Pests and diseases

• The main problems are rodents, aphids, nematodes and noctuid moths, which rarely affect yields.
• Beetroot is also susceptible to various fungal diseases such as mildew andpowdery mildew. Make sure you don't over-water and keep the crop well aerated.

Variety

• Round : Globe Robuschka
• Cylindrical : Long Cylindra, easy to uproot
• Late : Crapaudine red, sweet, firm. Very good cooked, less good raw

Possible ITK variations

Beetroot on tarpaulin

To intensify the density of the crop beds or for early or for early production, seedlings can be sown in nurseries on trays are possible. The plants are transplanted manually 1 month after sowing, with a spacing of 20 x 20 to 30 x 20 cm under tarpaulin/mulch (limits weed growth). weed growth). The tarpaulin helps the soil to warm up and the start of the crop, especially in spring.

Be careful when sowing glomeruli in honeycomb sheets. only one glomerule. This is because are a cluster of several seeds, so one glomerule will often already will often produce several plants. Ideally, you should separate the plants or remove the excess plants to leave just one per leave just one per cell. Note that some varieties may be monogerm and not glomerulate.

Sources

• This page is based on the guide Introduction au maraîchage sol vivant from MSV Normandie.

Appendices

Favorise la présence des bioagresseurs

• Rhizomania of beetroot