Insects and the economics of sugar beet crop

The sugar beet has a conical white fleshy root (a taproot) with a flat crown. The plant consists of the root and a rosette of leaves. Sugar is formed by photosynthesis in the leaves and is then stored in the root. The root of the beet contains 75% water about 20% sugar and 5% pulp. The exact sugar content can vary between 12% and 21% sugar depending on the cultivar and growing conditions. Sugar is the primary value of sugar beet as a cash crop. The pulp insoluble in water and mainly composed of cellulose hemicellulose lignin and pectin is used in animal feed. The byproducts of the sugar beet crop such as pulp and molasses add another 10% to the value of the harvest. Sugar beets grow exclusively in the temperate zone in contrast to sugarcane which grows exclusively in the tropical and subtropical zones. The average weight of sugar beet ranges between 0.5 and 1 kg (1.1 and 2.2 lb). Sugar beet foliage has a rich brilliant green color and grows to a height of about 35 cm (14 in). The leaves are numerous and broad and grow in a tuft from the crown of the beet which is usually level with or just above the ground surface.