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Early beet seed orders have started
Although the beet season is still in full swing, it is advisable to already look ahead to next year. If you have positive experiences with a variety that perfectly matches the situation on your plot, it is wise to order your favourite, trusted variety in the early order. This way you are assured of availability and you benefit from a discount that can amount to €30 per unit. Cosun Beet Company opens its order portal from 28 August to 16 September.
In the areas of the Netherlands where arable farmers are struggling with the soil fungus rhizoctonia on their plots, there is a considerable chance of root damage, or root rot, lurking. This poses a major threat to beet cultivation and can greatly reduce the yield and quality of sugar beet. In this case, it is therefore important to choose varieties with a very strong rhizoctonia resistance, such as the well-known variety Annemartha KWSThis popular variety, which is characterised by its high financial yield (101)* and good leaf health (8)*, is the only variety on the variety list with a very strong rhizoctonia resistance and is again available for early orders this year.
Also available in early order is Fadela KWS. This variety has a triple resistance to rhizomania (additional resistance), beet cyst nematodes and rhizoctonia. Fadela KWS is the successor of the also triple resistant variety Edonia KWS, but has an improved rhizoctonia resistance. This variety, with the highest financial yield (103)* in this segment, is strongly recommended on soils with a risk of rhizoctonia and the presence of beet cyst nematodes.
Rhizoctonia and high cercospora pressure
Are you dealing with an increased risk of rhizoctonia in combination with a high cercospora pressure? Then you can opt for Reforma KWS. This first CR+ variety within the rhizoctonia segment achieves maximum leaf health while maintaining sugar yield. CR+ varieties are recommended on soils where heavy pressure from cercospora is expected, for harvest in the second half of the campaign and in groundwater protection areas. In 2024, more than 5.000 hectares will have been sown with CR+ varieties with the highest achievable leaf health score of 9. Reforma KWS scores a financial yield of 101*. The variety is therefore comparable to Annemartha KWS, but has a lower sugar content. Reforma KWS stands for green foliage until harvest and potential savings on fungicides.
Rhizoctonia & Conviso® Smart
The area with Conviso® Smart varieties continue to grow annually. In 2024, it will reach a total area of around 7.000 hectares. Arable farmers are increasingly confronted with heavy weed pressure in the form of difficult-to-control weeds and wild beets. By choosing the combination of Smart varieties and the broad-spectrum herbicide Convsio in this situation® One can control many difficult weeds simply and quickly with just two sprays. This year the variety Smart Liesa KWS available in early order. With its high leaf health (7,5)*, good rhizoctonia resistance and additional rhizomania resistance, this variety performs extremely well on soils with high weed pressure.
beet cyst nematodes
More than half of the Dutch beet area is sown with varieties that are resistant to beet cyst nematodes. If no additional resistance to rhizomania is needed, then Tessilia KWS a good choice. After all, the variety achieves the highest financial yield (100)* on plots where beet cyst nematodes are present. Tessilia KWS has proven over the years to be very reliable and to give stable, good yields. It is also the most sown beet cyst nematode-resistant variety in the past five years.
On plots with beet cyst nematodes and a chance of a breakthrough of rhizomania, the variety offers Leontina KWS outcome. In addition to resistance to nematodes, this variety also has an additional rhizomania resistance. Due to its healthy leaves (7,5)* and good sugar content, Leontina KWS is an interesting variety within this segment. In addition, Leontina KWS also gives a good financial result (101)* on uncontaminated soils. Both Tessilia KWS and Leontina KWS are available for early orders.
Rhizomania
In this segment both Queena KWS as Mertha KWS in the early order period. In addition to the standard rhizomania resistance, Mertha KWS also has an additional rhizomania resistance. This extremely sugary variety with a sugar content of no less than 103* is recommended for growers who deliver early in the campaign. Queena KWS has a standard rhizomania resistance and is characterised by a low soil tare, making this variety particularly suitable for cultivation on (heavy) clay soils.
Combine familiar varieties and new varieties
The early order is perfectly suited to assure yourself of the trusted varieties that have all proven themselves at a discount. The advice is therefore: order these varieties in advance, so that you are provided for a large part of your area. Then fill in the remaining hectares in the main order in December with new, promising varieties. In this way you lay a good foundation for the following season.
Early ordering tips:
- Order from August 28th via my.cosun.com a large part of your beet seeds for 2025 at a discount (and possibly supplement this with new varieties in the main order in December).
- Are you already sure about the variety you want to sow? Then go directly to 'Order' without drawing in your plots.
- If you are not sure yet where your plots will be in 2025, wait to order until December.
- Always choose your variety based on the required resistances.
- Would you like personal advice on the best choice of variety for your plot? Please contact your KWS advisor.
* Brochure sugar beet seed 2024
