Synonym are X. violaceum Schott., Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott
Common names are Garden Beet, Beetroot (Eng.); Betterave Potaere, Betterave a Salade (Fr.); Remolachia (Sp.); Rote Bete, Rube (Ger.); Kroot, Rode Biet (Neth.); Chakundar (Ind.); Bit (Mal. and Indon.).
Three main forms are cultivated, mainly distinguished by their leaf shape and colour: (a) Dark-green, oval or almost round leaves; commonly referred to as B. alba. (b) Red, oval-round leaves, 5-12 cm in length, stems red; often referred to as B. rubra. (c) Dark-green, cordate leaves.
Native to tropical Asia, possibly India or China, now widely grown in many tropical regions. Introduced to tropical West Africa comparatively recently.
Now widely cultivated throughout the tropics, mainly in the Caribbean area, including the West Indies, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Dominica; Central and South America, Hawaii; West Africa (particularly southern Nigeria and Cameroun); and tropical Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia and the South Pacific Islands).
A biennial glabrous herb, normally grown as an annual. Roots: including hypocotyl, rounded or tapering, red, enlarged with food reserves. Stems: conical, condensed above hypocotyl. Leaves: in rosettes, dark red or green, ovate or cordate. Inflorescence: of 3-4 flowered cymes, on spikes up to 120 cm in height, formed in the second year of growth if the environmental conditions are favourable. Flowers: perianth of 5 segments; stamens 5; stigmas 3. Fruits: an aggregate, formed by the cohesion of 2 or more fruits. The calyx continues to grow after fertilization, becoming woody and enclosing the seed. Seeds: small, kidney-shaped, brown; weight of 1000 seeds = 16 g.
Moist soil conditions are generally essential but the roots are sensitive to excessive soil water. A high soil organic content is req. uired for optimum growth and sandy loam soils are usually suitable. The root system is fairly tolerant to alkaline soil conditions but sensitive to acidity. A pH of 6.0-6.8 is considered satisfactory, values lower than 5.0 reduce yields significantly. Mulching reduces the rate of water loss. In addition to the provision of an adequate supply of essential minerals in the soil before sowing, young plants usually benefit from additional applications of nitrogen during the period of active growth. Boron deficiency causes the formation of internal black spots in the root tissues and may be corrected by applying 10-30 kg/ha of borax. Beetroot also responds favourably to applications of sodium chloride in the region of 300-500 kg/ha. High temperatures, over 25C, adversely affect growth and roots are likely to show distinct zonal markings as a result of high soil temperatures. Plants grown in moderate rainfall conditions are unlikely to require additional water but irrigation is required during dry periods to maintain a regular rate of root development. An elevation of more than 600 m is normally required for successful root development, plants grown at sea level are unlikely to produce economic yields.
Propagation is normally by means of small corms, as for Colocasia, although the tops of young plants are often removed and inserted as cuttings. Rooted cuttings or corms are planted on low ridges 75-90 cm apart, 90 cm between plants; the more vigorous forms may require a wider spacing. Approximately 2.5-5.0 t/ha of corms are required for planting. Earthing up is considered advantageous during the early part of the growing period, possibly followed by mulching during hot weather.
Harvesting of the young shoots may normally begin 55-70 days from trans- planting, continuing at regular intervals for approximately six months. The shoots removed are normally 15-25 cm in length; flowering shoots should also be removed to encourage continued leaf production. Yield: Variable but, depending on the cultivar characteristics and the frequency of harvest, single plants may yield up to 1.5 kg of fresh leaves and young shoots over a period of 180 days.
Mature corms do not deteriorate if left in the ground and it is a common practice to harvest corms for immediate consumption as required. Considerable care should be taken to avoid damage to the corms at harvest time since this may lead to rapid deterioration. Corms may be stored in well-ventilated conditions for up to 180 days. Storage at 7C and 80% relative humidity has been found to maintain corms in good condition, without loss of eating quality, for about 120-130 days. Traditional pit storage is generally more satisfactory than ventilated room or barn storage.
The leaves, in addition to the roots, are often used as a cooked vegetable; the roots are widely used in salads and in the preparation of pickles and chutney.
Common names are Garden Beet, Beetroot (Eng.); Betterave Potaere, Betterave a Salade (Fr.); Remolachia (Sp.); Rote Bete, Rube (Ger.); Kroot, Rode Biet (Neth.); Chakundar (Ind.); Bit (Mal. and Indon.).
Three main forms are cultivated, mainly distinguished by their leaf shape and colour: (a) Dark-green, oval or almost round leaves; commonly referred to as B. alba. (b) Red, oval-round leaves, 5-12 cm in length, stems red; often referred to as B. rubra. (c) Dark-green, cordate leaves.
Native to tropical Asia, possibly India or China, now widely grown in many tropical regions. Introduced to tropical West Africa comparatively recently.
Now widely cultivated throughout the tropics, mainly in the Caribbean area, including the West Indies, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Dominica; Central and South America, Hawaii; West Africa (particularly southern Nigeria and Cameroun); and tropical Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia and the South Pacific Islands).
A biennial glabrous herb, normally grown as an annual. Roots: including hypocotyl, rounded or tapering, red, enlarged with food reserves. Stems: conical, condensed above hypocotyl. Leaves: in rosettes, dark red or green, ovate or cordate. Inflorescence: of 3-4 flowered cymes, on spikes up to 120 cm in height, formed in the second year of growth if the environmental conditions are favourable. Flowers: perianth of 5 segments; stamens 5; stigmas 3. Fruits: an aggregate, formed by the cohesion of 2 or more fruits. The calyx continues to grow after fertilization, becoming woody and enclosing the seed. Seeds: small, kidney-shaped, brown; weight of 1000 seeds = 16 g.
Moist soil conditions are generally essential but the roots are sensitive to excessive soil water. A high soil organic content is req. uired for optimum growth and sandy loam soils are usually suitable. The root system is fairly tolerant to alkaline soil conditions but sensitive to acidity. A pH of 6.0-6.8 is considered satisfactory, values lower than 5.0 reduce yields significantly. Mulching reduces the rate of water loss. In addition to the provision of an adequate supply of essential minerals in the soil before sowing, young plants usually benefit from additional applications of nitrogen during the period of active growth. Boron deficiency causes the formation of internal black spots in the root tissues and may be corrected by applying 10-30 kg/ha of borax. Beetroot also responds favourably to applications of sodium chloride in the region of 300-500 kg/ha. High temperatures, over 25C, adversely affect growth and roots are likely to show distinct zonal markings as a result of high soil temperatures. Plants grown in moderate rainfall conditions are unlikely to require additional water but irrigation is required during dry periods to maintain a regular rate of root development. An elevation of more than 600 m is normally required for successful root development, plants grown at sea level are unlikely to produce economic yields.
Propagation is normally by means of small corms, as for Colocasia, although the tops of young plants are often removed and inserted as cuttings. Rooted cuttings or corms are planted on low ridges 75-90 cm apart, 90 cm between plants; the more vigorous forms may require a wider spacing. Approximately 2.5-5.0 t/ha of corms are required for planting. Earthing up is considered advantageous during the early part of the growing period, possibly followed by mulching during hot weather.
Harvesting of the young shoots may normally begin 55-70 days from trans- planting, continuing at regular intervals for approximately six months. The shoots removed are normally 15-25 cm in length; flowering shoots should also be removed to encourage continued leaf production. Yield: Variable but, depending on the cultivar characteristics and the frequency of harvest, single plants may yield up to 1.5 kg of fresh leaves and young shoots over a period of 180 days.
Mature corms do not deteriorate if left in the ground and it is a common practice to harvest corms for immediate consumption as required. Considerable care should be taken to avoid damage to the corms at harvest time since this may lead to rapid deterioration. Corms may be stored in well-ventilated conditions for up to 180 days. Storage at 7C and 80% relative humidity has been found to maintain corms in good condition, without loss of eating quality, for about 120-130 days. Traditional pit storage is generally more satisfactory than ventilated room or barn storage.
The leaves, in addition to the roots, are often used as a cooked vegetable; the roots are widely used in salads and in the preparation of pickles and chutney.
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