Live Projects

Current: AHDB Soil Biology and Soil Health

BBRO are pleased to support this large industry collaboration on soil biology and health.

Complete: Weed Control Review: Desk study

ADAS were contracted to review current weed control options and future opportunities for UK crops.

Current: Canopy Architecture

This project is focusing on sugar beet radiation use efficiency (RUE) which is examining radiation (sunlight) interception by the canopy and measuring its resulting biomass across the season.

Complete: Spray Application Review: Desk study

Research into optimum spray application methods for controlling weeds, pests and diseases for sugar beet has been very limited in the UK and there is scope for improving grower knowledge in this area.

Complete: Placed nitrogen phosphate

This project will show whether, by placing N, can we improve N uptake efficiency and improve the performance of crops and to what extent it may be possible to reduce nitrogen inputs. It will also show whether this is further influenced by placing P with N.

Complete: Population genetics and ecology of a leaf mining pest

Climate change is causing changes in the nature and distribution of crop pest and disease populations, resulting in novel threats to food security. Biological r...

Complete: Maximising the benefits from cover crops through species selection and crop management (Maxi-Cover Crop)

This project aims to maximise the potential economic, agronomic and ecological benefits from cover crops through a better understanding of species effects and crop management technologies.

Complete: Discovering the source of sugar beet infection and re-infection by rust and powdery mildew

Powdery mildew and rust can cause sugar yield losses of up to 20% and 14% respectively. Little is known about (1) the level of diversity of E. betae races, (2) ...

Complete: Sugar beet response to additional applications of sulphur fertiliser and the identification of soil & cropping systems

Work on other arable crops such as OSR and cereals has shown that crops frequently respond to additional sulphur fertilisers, especially on lighter land where the risk of sulphur deficiency is greatest. 

Current: Virus yellows: aphid monitoring and alternative control strategies using existing/novel insecticides

Virus yellows is a greater problem in the UK than anywhere else in Europe due to the influence of our maritime climate. Virus threats are accentuated by the ongoing development of insecticide resistance and climate change. 

Complete: Interactions between beet cyst nematode, sugar beet and brassica crops

BCN poses a serious threat to growers who cultivate sugar beet on infested fields. This project supersedes: Beet Cyst nematode: control and rotational issues with brassica crops.

Complete: Understanding water use efficiency in sugar beet

This project focuses on water use efficiency (WUE) in sugar beet, which examines the plant’s water use and the associated yields achieved. Sugar beet is often observed to wilt in the field even when soil water is freely available, resulting in lost yield potential.

BBRO is a not for profit company

We are set up jointly by British Sugar plc and NFU Sugar