Sugar beet breeding in Germany

Regular production technique surveys permit the early identification of tre nds as well as of regional particularities. Appropriate analysis also revea ls the great weight of the year-specific impact, particularly in respect of weeds, diseases and pests. Cost-saving and environmentally friendly cultur al practices are increasingly employed, especially in soil preparation, see d protection and fertiliser application. A greater differentiation is being observed in soil preparation. Straw much methods have gained importance. T hanks to improved seed protection, insecticide soil treatments have gone ou t of fashion and spraying against aphids has also sharply reduced. More far mers are switching to low rates in nitrogen fertiliser application. There i s continuing trend towards higher performance and interfarm organisation in sowing, harvesting and transport. Infield cleaner-loaders are non almost u niversally deployed. Targeted and threshold-based fertiliser application an d plant protection practices, guided by analysis and monitoring systems for soils, planes and environment, are acquiring increasing prominence.