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Limited availability: early order important
The early order for 2024 is even more important this time than in other years. Because of flooding in the most important area for beet seed propagation, there is less seed available for some varieties. Order early to be sure of the variety you want to sow. You will also benefit from the early booking discount.
Heavy rainfall and flooding ravaged the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna this spring. It is precisely in that fertile region that all seed suppliers propagate most of their beet seed. As a result of the severe weather, there is only limited seed available for various varieties for the 2024 cultivation year. So there is every reason to make use of the early order. In addition, the 2024 Variety List will be virtually the same as the 2023 Variety List. So it is not worth waiting for better varieties. There are only a few newcomers with slightly better properties in specific segments, such as CONVISO® SMART, CR+ and resistance to M. chitwoodi.
In addition, a number of varieties that have been researched for two years will be available on a limited basis.
beet cyst nematode
About half of the Dutch beet area grows beets that are resistant to the beet cyst nematode. There will probably be no new varieties in this segment on the 2024 Variety List. Tessilia KWS is by far the largest variety in this segment. In 2023, Dutch growers sowed this on roughly half of their nematode plots. Tessilia KWS scores best in terms of financial return and sugar content and has clearly proven itself in practice in recent years. It comes in second among the most sown varieties in this segment Leontina KWS. This variety also has additional resistance to rhizomania. That is why growers in Flevoland and Zeeland mainly sow this variety.
rhizoctonia
About 40% of the beet area consists of varieties that are resistant to rhizoctonia. There will also be no new variety in this segment. It is increasingly important that varieties have strong leaf health. The CR+ variety Reforma KWS Cercospora scores the highest of all varieties for leaf health with a 9. Often an 8 is sufficient, but at high pressure it is advisable to sow Reforma KWS. Its foliage remains green until the end, even at high pressure. It is important to spray with fungicides as prescribed by the IRS. Reforma KWS also has the highest financial return in this segment with 102, as high as the most sown variety: Annemartha KWS. Also Edonia KWS, with resistance to rhizoctonia and beet cyst nematodes, scores a 102 for financial return. In the triple segment makes Fadela KWS chance to be admitted with better grades. For plots without beet cyst nematodes and rhizoctonia, there is a wide choice of standard varieties. Mertha KWS for example, has the highest sugar yield at 104.
notice
The total area of CONVISO® SMART varieties grew to approximately 2023 hectares in 5.000. Several growers currently offer these special varieties, in which the broad-spectrum herbicide CONVISO® ONE can be sprayed. Thanks to the effectiveness of CONVISO® ONE, only two sprayings against weeds are necessary. That saves money and time. The varieties are specifically recommended for plots with difficult-to-control weeds or with many weed beets. More and more growers are opting for the convenience of this combination. It is recommended that all measures be taken to prevent resistance. But the growth of the area depends on the amount that Cosun allows. Do you want to sow a CONVISO® SMART variety in 2024? Then order it with the early order. There will be a limited number of units Smart Liesa KWS are available and are expected to sell out quickly. BCA breed, Smart Imma KWS is suitable for plots without rhizoctonia and has limited availability with 1.000 units. Order early to ensure variety availability.
Click here for the Cosun ordering portal.
Would you like to know which varieties best suit your regional conditions? Please contact your regional KWS advisor.
