Sugar Beet Cultivation in the Tropics and Subtropics: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Sugar beet, an important sugar crop, is particularly cultivated in humid regions to produce beet sugar, fulfilling about 25% of the world’s sugar requirement, supplementing cane sugar. However, sugar beet is not well adopted in the farming system of the tropics and subtropics, which is largely due to the historically well-established production technology of sugarcane and the lower awareness among local growers of sugar beet cultivation. Thus, the poor understanding of pest and disease management and the lack of processing units for sugar beet partially hinder farmers in the large-scale adaptation of sugar beet in the tropics and subtropics. Recent climatic developments have drawn attention to sugar beet cultivation in those regions, considering the low water demand and about half the growing duration (5–6 months) in contrast to sugarcane, sparing agricultural land for an extra crop. Nevertheless, a considerable knowledge gap exists for sugar beet when closely compared to sugarcane in tropical and subtropical growth conditions. Here, we examined the leverage of existing published articles regarding the significance and potential of sugar beet production in the tropics and subtropics, covering its pros and cons in comparison to sugarcane. The challenges for sugar beet production have also been identified, and possible mitigation strategies are suggested. Our assessment reveals that sugar beet can be a promising sugar crop in tropical and subtropical regions, considering the lower water requirements and higher salt resistance.

Effect of fertilizer treatments on sugar beet cultivars: A comprehensive study on crop yield and nutrient contents of soil and plant in chestnut soil of Kazakhstan

“…Therefore, monitoring and understanding the climatic conditions during the crop's growth stages are essential for implementing appropriate irrigation and management practices (de Oliveira e al., 2015). Soil fertility plays a pivotal role in determining the success of sugar beet cultivation (Tayyab et al, 2023).…”

Exploring the antibacterial potential of plant extracts and essential oils against Bacillus thermophilus in beet sugar for enhanced sucrose retention: a comparative assessment and implications

“…It is a biennial plant that belongs to the family Amaranthaceae and is related to other common crops such as chard and spinach. Sugar beet is a high-yielding crop grown in temperate regions worldwide, with major producers including Africa, Europe, the United States, and Russia (Kagami et al, 2015 ; Tayyab et al, 2023 ). The production of sugar beet typically involves a series of steps, from seed selection and planting to harvesting and processing (Tayyab et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Sugar beet is a high-yielding crop grown in temperate regions worldwide, with major producers including Africa, Europe, the United States, and Russia (Kagami et al, 2015 ; Tayyab et al, 2023 ). The production of sugar beet typically involves a series of steps, from seed selection and planting to harvesting and processing (Tayyab et al, 2023 ). Sugar beet seeds are usually sown in the spring, with optimal planting times depending on the local climate and soil conditions.…”

Root Causes of Flowering: Two Sides of Bolting in Sugar Beet

“…Additionally, a 1% increase in bolters results in a 0.05% decrease in sugar content, which can sometimes lead to a loss of up to 20% in sugar [19][20][21]. In addition, bolting is relevant for the USA as well as tropical and subtropical countries [22][23][24]. In Japan, transplant cultivation is widely practiced, exposing young plants to low temperatures, which can induce flowering [25].…”