In order to find the best varieties, SESVanderHave makes use of both conventional and modern breeding techniques. On 100.000 observation and trial fields in every corner in the world, spread over 10 research stations in Europe and America, some 130 scientists and technicians create and test over 10.000 new genotypes a year.

All these research results in new sugar beet varieties with the best agronomic performance, an excellent industrial quality and a high resistance to pests and diseases.

Optimal characteristics

The critical first step in achieving sugar beet seed with superior characteristics for both the farmer and the sugar refinery is the breeding. During this ongoing process, genes are sought which result in sugar beets with optimal qualities.

The aim is to increase sugar production per hectare, or to obtain characteristics such as a high sugar content, high extractability, excellent germination (fast and even field emergence), low tare (dirt) content, high resistance to diseases and parasites and constant quality.

Another important aspect of the breeding process is to minimise the use of pesticides and fertilisers which can have a negative effect on the environment. Protecting the environment at the farming level as well as during the factory processing is a central theme in our work.

Practical tests and field work

The recombination of genetic materials goes through a set of manipulations, including hand castrations, inbreeding with the help of sleeves or in pollen safe cages, production of hybrids in pollen safe cages, open field or growth rooms. Each of these steps need specialized technicians, combining green fingers, great care and technical skills.

These materials are evaluated through thousands of disease tests and hundreds of trial fields located throughout the world. The results of these field trials are analysed in our state of the art laboratories in Tienen both by observation and with the help of techniques such as chromatography and spectrography. Geneticists fingerprint all genotypes and combine information on the chromosomes with the observed results in disease tests and field trials. This information helps optimizing the new populations and speeds up the genetic progress.  

8 to 12 years after the recombination of new characteristics, hybrids enter public life and are tested by the consumers, both industry and farmers. In case competitiveness is proven, commercialisation can start. Ten thousand hybrids per year and a time span of a minimum of ten years between the selection and marketing of a variety make it clear that patience and attention to details are only the first of the requirements.