Scope of Cultivation of Sugar Beet Under Indian Subtropical Conditions

Abstract

In India, sugar cane is a main crop grown for processing of sugar. As an alternative to sugar crop, sugar beet is a short duration crop, having growth period of 6–7 months as compared to 10–12 months of sugar cane, which results in higher productivity per unit time than sugar cane. Sugar yield of sugar beet is equivalent to that of sugar cane, having more sugar content, recovery and purity and can tolerate adverse conditions like salt and water stress. Sugar beet cultivation results in considerably good yield with use of less irrigation water than sugar cane. Sugar beet crop matures in April–May, when the cane-crushing season is nearly over, thus helps in increasing the operation period of the sugar mills from four to six months in a year. Hence, sugar beet has a potential in sugar industry of the subtropical regions, especially India. For widening the scope of cultivation of sugar beet under subtropical Indian conditions, there is need to select the most appropriate varieties, planting time, planting methods, planting density, sowing depth, adequate crop nutrition, pest management and irrigation scheduling. Further, intensive studies are needed to estimate the economics of its cultivation in comparison to winter crops under cultivation and sugar cane in the region. Also sugar industries need to be upgraded for processing of sugar beet to ensure its marketing at good price for more profit than existing crops.