Live Projects

Complete: Economics of sugar beet irrigation in England

The experimental (field) data on the response of sugar beet to irrigation in England was reviewed. The literature mostly dates from the 1970s and 1980s and showed a general increase in sugar yield from irrigation ranging between 0 – 2 t/ha depending on the soil type and summer rainfall.

Complete: Innovate UK: A novel pre-breeding strategy to reduce dependence on insecticides for virus yellows control in sugar beet

Virus yellows is a major economic disease affecting sugar beet; its impact is particularly significant in the UK due to our maritime climate, and will be exacer...

Closed: Innovate UK: Innovative disease monitoring and diagnostics for improved efficiency of crop production (SPOREID)

SPOREID is a new project designed to minimise the impact of disease on yield of the UK sugar beet crop. The yield potential of the UK sugar beet crop is c.130 t...

Closed: Monitoring the future risk of rhizomania

Previously, rhizomania had a major economic impact on the UK industry, potentially decreasing yields by up to 70%. The development of partially-resistant variet...

Complete: Understanding water uptake in sugar beet

It has been long known that sugar beet does not yield well under drought conditions. In the UK there is a 10% yield loss as a result of drought on average and in dry years this can increase to up to 25% yield loss (Jaggard et al. 1998). 

Complete: The effect of cover crops on soil structure and the subsequent sugar beet yield

The project is investigating the effect of autumn/winter cover crops on the physical structure of soil before and throughout the sugar beet crop and how this may influence growth and yield.

Closed: Predicting egg hatch in mangold fly (leaf miner)

The larvae of the mangold fly (Pegomya hyoscyami) mine extensively sugar beet leaves, resulting in blisters that reduce photosynthetic area, increase sensitivit...

Complete: To increase the profitability and sustainability of the UK sugar beet industry through reductions in soil tare

Large quantities of soil adhering to beet are delivered to factories during the campaign at considerable cost to the industry in transportation, removal and disposal.

Complete: Understanding soil plant interactions to improve sugar beet productivity

On average, 10% of sugar beet yield is lost to drought in the UK. In field surveys are being used to identify constraints to rooting at depth, which limits water uptake. Future work will explore ways to overcome the constraints identified. The importance of early nutrient uptake to enhance rapid canopy expansion is well understood.

Complete: Genetic influences of sugar beet cell wall composition on biorefining

Aim: to understand the genetic basis of variation in sugar beet cell wall composition.

Closed: Beet cyst nematode: control and rotational issues with brassica species

The significance and importance of oilseed rape and other brassica species in sugar beet rotations is increasing. An appreciation of these rotational issues and...

Complete: Combating resistance to aphicides in UK aphid pests

Supported by the Chemical Regulation Directorate (CRD), and a consortium of agrochemical companies and levy boards, this project provides research on aphicide...

BBRO is a not for profit company

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