Sugar beet seed solutions for today and tomorrow

SESVanderHave is a well-established name in the international world of sugar beet seed. For over decades we, as seed improvers, have served the sugar beet production chain with high quality starting materials.Our power lies in our knowledge. Knowledge and research form the basis for new varieties. By continuously considering the requirements of the grower, the process industry and finally, the consumer, we are able to create sugar beet seed with exceptional added value.We specialize in producing seed that incorporates the latest ‘know-how’ and that will, in the hands of the professionals, generate financial returns for the whole production chain. Genetically well thought-out and perfected from a seed technology point of view, our varieties offer customized solutions for every growing scenario within the global cultivation of sugar beet.

Variety selection is the key to success

Our marketing specialists invest a lot of time and expertise into mapping the specialized markets and requirements of customers. More than ever before, the beet grower is forced to think and act like an entrepreneur. He aims for increased yields and reduced costs, in order to safeguard his proceeds.

The objective therefore is to grow a lot of recoverable sugar per hectare, with a minimum of tare – and all this must fit within the payment system of the sugar industry. Threats like rhizomania, cercospora, rhizoctonia and nematodes must be avoided. The selection of the right variety is the key to this way of operating and is, at the same time, our specialty.

Customized seeds for the whole production chain

Every single day, SESVanderHave dedicates itself to the development of new multi-resistant beet varieties, that incorporate all the requirements: sweet, a nice round and smooth shape and resistant against pests and diseases.

But there are even more interesting research areas. For instance, we are looking for a winter beet that can be sown very early, which will, in turn, lead to an earlier factory process. Plus, we are researching how the valuable component ‘inulin’, which has numerous applications in the food industry and other areas, can be extracted from sugar beet.

Active in fifty markets

The growing areas for sugar beet are found in the temperature and subtropical areas of the Northern hemisphere and in south America. Because the climate and soil type make specific demands on the desired variety, SESVanderHave has special breeding programs in place for Western, Central and Eastern Europe, America, Chile, China, Japan, North Africa and the Middle East. In total, we develop new sugar beet varieties for some fifty countries.

Extended R&D Network

The basis of every breeding program is finding the most suitable parent lines in order to select the most promising hybrids. With our extended international network of breeding and test facilities we can undertake extensive screening and testing of the experimental hybrids. In Europe alone there are 150.000 field plots. Here we don’t just carry out yield tests, but also closely observe seedling emergence in the field, foliage development, resistance to major leaf and root diseases and pests and the stress resistance (for instance against drought and bolting). Based on many tens of thousands of samples we analyze the beet content after the harvest and obtain an insight into sugar levels, recoverability and internal quality. Then we submit the best performing hybrids for agronomical and industrial use to the variety registration agencies in the various countries for official trials.

Resistance improvement is of major importance

Through continuous product development, the sugar yield increases annually by about 1.5 %. SESVanderHave expects that the net yield could rise even higher. The latest developments in genetics will provide more sugar that is even easier to recover. Maximization of the white sugar yield is only possible if pests and diseases do not hamper the beet plant. That is why resistance improvement is a critical area of focus for SESVanderHave research.

These efforts prioritize resistance breeding for rhizomania, rhizoctonia, cercospora, mildew, aphonomyces, virus yellows and nematodes.

Multiple resistances within one variety must be able to withstand the rapid spread of pests and diseases. Yield and quality differences between, for instance, rhizomania-resistant varieties and varieties without a specific resistance are minimal these days.

Harvest-sure sugar beets with low tare

Cost minimization is an important target in the sugar production column. In order to be able to continue to guarantee a good beet price, the industry makes ever more stringent demands on its raw materials. Soil and top tare do not fit the objective of sustainable beet cultivation and are therefore undesirable. Limiting tare starts already when the grower selects the variety. SESVanderHave carries out a lot of research into the lifting of beets and low tare beets varieties.

The ideal is a beet with 30% less soil tare, without having to compromise on sugar levels or recoverability. Selection takes place by means of image analysis, whereby computers can assess sugar beets for shape, smoothness of the skin and level of top tare. Because our sugar beet varieties often have a fixed place in the cultivation plan for a number of years, SESVanderHave is very aware of the importance of stability in its hybrids. In our opinion, a beet plant must achieve a consistently high level of production over an extended period. Growers have right to reliable and harvest-sure varieties.

Sowing seed tailored to the growing season

Because we feel that growers must be able to extract the maximum benefits from our beet genetics, we pay close attention to the seed quality.

Production and processing are carried out under strictly controlled circumstances. The results the grower will eventually get from this seed quality is a rapid, good and evenly distributed seedling emergence in the field.

Sugar beet is available in many different shapes and sizes. Our starting point is: supply what the customer demands. That can be naked or pelleted seed, a mono- or multi-germinating variety. Pelleting ensures that the maximum potential is achieved and turns the beet seed into a high-quality and high-technology product. An advanced procedure forms the method for a seed covering that regulates water absorption and oxygen supply – processes that are essential to the germination of the beet plant – in a highly refined manner. For this reason, our pelleted seed performs well in a broad spectrum of circumstances that may occur in the field, varying from extremely dry to extremely wet. The physical protective layer between the seed and the covering ensures effective plant protection (against fungi and insects) with fewer active ingredients. The strong structure and composition ensure easy sowing in the field. Independent research by a number of sources proves that our pelleted seed shows an above-average seedling emergence in the field and with it a predictable high yield and quality.

Strong together

A promising future is in store for the sugar beet. Compared to sugar cane, a beet plant uses water much more efficiently, for instance, and therefore does better in saline soils.

SESVanderHave aims to serve the sugar production chain with first-class starting materials, but also with information and education. We are the partner of choice when it comes to optimizing or even starting up modern sugar beet growing operations.

Our specialists regularly visit the users and advisers of our products in various parts of the world. Collaboration is one of our main priorities. By understanding the individual requirements of every ‘link’ in the production chain, by listening and sharing knowledge, we are able to realize our joint objectives. Our policy is aimed at maintaining and further developing our leading position in the beet seed market. Innovative thinking – based on years of knowledge and experience – and substantial investment in research programs guarantee we can offer you sugar beet seed solutions for today and tomorrow, for higher revenues and tailored to your specific situation!

The road to a new sugar beet variety

Genetic fingerprinting

In modern breeding programs, it can now be determined very quickly whether a beet plant is resistant against certain diseases. To do this we use the so-called marker techniques. Using a type of ‘barcode’ of the DNA of the seedling, our researchers can see at a very early stage, whether the plant possesses the required resistance.

The result is a more targeted and efficient breeding process that can be carried out, more and more often, indoors.

Through continuous innovation and the deployment of advanced breeding and selection techniques, SESVanderHave is able to provide custom work.

Our varieties provide the farmer with higher financial returns, while at the same time giving the process industry exactly those raw materials it requires.

In the financial analysis, our varieties provide the customer with tasty, healthy and hones products at a competitive price. Above all, these varieties conform to the objective of sustainable agriculture.

5 – 10 years

Using genetic variability we cross thousands of plants in our greenhouses.

From the progeny we select the best lines, which we will then test for a longer period under varying trial and practical situations. At this early stage we already start on the production of pre-basic seed for the most promising varieties.

2.5 years

In the North of France and in special greenhouses we multiply the pre-basic seed into basic seed. This takes place in areas where there is no sugar beet pollen, in order to safeguard the varietal purity.

1.5 years

The basic seed harvested form both the male and the female lines now goes to the South of France and to Northern Italy. In these climatically ideal areas, skilled farmers are responsible for the production of the commercial seed. Pollinators (male plants) and so-called male sterile plants (female plants) are planted in rows alongside each other. After pollination, the seeds ripen on the female plants. Harvesting takes place from the end of July through August. SESVanderHave also has local production facilities in the United States, Chile and China.

6 months

In our modern beet seed processing centre in Tienen, Belgium, the seeds undergo a number of cleaning processes, from September onward, which realize a separation based on size (caliber) and the specific gravity of the seeds. Pieces of stem, but also empty seeds and seeds that are too small are removed from the batch in this manner.

By polishing the seeds the germination potential is further increased. The cork layer that surrounds a beet seed contains natural germination-inhibiting substances. A good ‘wash’ (steeping) or stimulation of the pre-germination process (priming) reduces the effect of these substances and facilitates the final germination process.

During the pelleting process, which takes place in large revolving spheres, the naked seed is covered in a mixture of wood dust, clay and collagen, in accordance with a unique recipe. Water and powder are added in turns. Through the subsequent drying of the seeds the water content of the seeds is reduced and the weak husk is hardened all around, with a round ‘pill’ as the end result.

In order to achieve an extremely efficient protection for the seedling, we add low doses of fungicides, and insecticides. In this way, minimal amounts of crop protection products are utilized effectively, which is to the benefit of the environment. We refer to this as coating the seeds.

The only remaining step is the packaging process, during which the seeds are packed in a practical unit box. The seed is now ready for dispatch to our customers.

Every seed must result in a beet

 Field inspections; our own seed growing experts monitor the seed quality and advise the producer on any growing measures required. Samples are taken at all stages of the processing process. Germination and vigour tests carried out in growing chambers and in the field predict the behaviour of the seed in practical circumstances. Determination of the moisture level is important with regard to keeping and storage of the seeds. X-ray equipment is used to screen each seed, at which stage the position of the plant embryo is checked. There is a special greenhouse test for bolting resistance contaminants. The ease of sowing is checked on a special test belt, as the seed distribution needs to be faultless. After the stringent internal checks, independent inspection services in the various countries once again check the seed against a number of quality criteria.

The official certificate issued by these inspectors guarantees that the seed conforms to the highest standards.