1. BACKGROUND
Beetroot is scientifically known as Beta vulgaris and is inherently a cool season root crop that is widely adaptable and can be planted throughout the Limpopo Province throughout the year.
2. SOIL AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Beetroot has a medium to deep rooted root system ranging from 80-160 cm depth. Thus, it prefers deep and well drained, loose loamy and sandy soils. The soil pH of 5.8-7.0 is preferable for beetroot production, but it can tolerate pH of as high as 7.6 when matured. The younger the plant the more sensitive it is to salinity. Acid soils may cause nutrient deficiencies and should be avoided at all costs.
Optimal growing temperatures for beetroot ranges from 15-20 ◦C, making it a cool season crop. High temperatures may result in zoning which is the appearance of alternating light and dark red concentric circles in the root. Beetroot requires 6 to 8 hours of daily sunlight and mature from 45 to 60 days.
3. CULTURAL PRACTICES
Soil preparation
The seedbed should be smooth with no clods and should be ploughed 15-20 cm deep. The seedbed should have ample moisture and free from weeds.
Planting
The recommended sowing depth for beetroot ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 cm, with the in row spacing of 5-10 cm and the between row spacing of 30-40 cm. The seed required for a hectare of beetroot ranges from 4 to 8 kg of seed for direct planting. The plant population recommended ranges from 170 000 to 350 000 depending on the spacing.
Fertilisation
Beetroot requires a continuous supply of N.P and K throughout the growing season to obtain optimal yield and quality. Soil analysis is essential for accurate fertiliser recommendations, and local agricultural offices should be consulted for further assistance. Soil samples must be taken timeously so that is necessary to apply agricultural lime, enough time should be available for lime to react with the soil. Excessive lime may induce deficiencies of trace elements such as manganese and boron. Beetroots are sensitive to boron deficiency. The usual symptoms of boron deficiency are black stains and cracks on the sides and black blotches in the flesh which may be seen when the beetroot is cut open.
Irrigation
Soil must be kept moist until seedling emergence. Light irrigation should be applied from sowing time until emergence. Beetroot has shallow root system, and the top 300 mm soil layer should not dry out. From planting stage irrigation should be applied at 300mm.
The irrigation interval may vary according to the time of the year and the area. Water usage is higher in warmer areas than cooler areas. During warmer periods water will have to be supplemented at regular intervals than in cooler periods. Beetroots usually need 4mm of water per day, on a cold winter’s day it could be only 2mm and on along summer’s day as much as 8mm. Determining water retention capacity of the soil will increase the accuracy and effectiveness of irrigation.
Pests and Diseases
Important diseases of beetroot include but not limited to Cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew, brown rust, scab root rot, damping off and virus diseases. Cercospora is the most common disease on beetroots caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola. Cercospora leaf spot is a seed borne disease and requires that seedlings are treated properly, however it becomes serious during the wet weather conditions. Downy mildew is also seed borne and therefore it is important to buy from reputable suppliers who treat their seed or from disease free areas. Good drainage and crop rotation are important. Insect pests attacking beetroot include but not limited to aphids and red spider.
Cultivar selection
Cultivar selection is often influenced by market demand. There is beetroot of the open pollinated variety such as red beetroot, crimson globe, Detroit dark red, Globe Dark Red, Early wonder and the F1 Hybrids including but not limited to Falcon, Kestrel Merlin and Red Ace. The F1 hybrids are widely adapted to higher temperature and offer uniform fruit shape and size, and better disease and pest tolerance, however they are pricier than the open pollinated varieties. Novelty beetroots are commonly grown for specialised markets. F1 hybrids are very tolerant to bolting.
References
Sakata beetroot production guideline. www.sakata.co.za
Hygrotech vegetable chart www.hygrotech.co.za
Vegetable production guide. Intelligro www.intelligro.co.za
Production guideline for beetroot www.dalrrd.gov.za