Red beets are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which makes people like athletes big fans. It is certainly not the biggest product on vegetable shelves, but its health and performance-enhancing properties have earned it a permanent place. KWS has fully embraced the product. And to market red beets effectively, this Dutch breeding company tries to involve everyone in the chain: growers, traders, processors, and retailers. KWS Vegetables even wants to become the market leader in red beets. This article explains why that is not an unrealistic goal.
Since acquiring Pop Vriend Seeds in 2019, KWS Vegetables has built on that German group's years of extensive knowledge of developing sugar beet varieties. "Sugar beets are a far larger crop than beets. There's, thus, a much greater investment in breeding. However, some of their genetics are similar, so breeding can be linked. That synergy strengthens our ambition to soon become the red beet market leader," begins Joan de Visser, senior red beet and Swiss chard breeder at KWS Vegetables.
Added value for the entire chain
She explains that her colleagues are working hard at things like building all sorts of resistance into the beets. "Once those are in place, we and our customers can benefit. Since the acquisition, there have been many more opportunities to test red beets in different climatic conditions, with our research station or a network of colleagues who help set up a trial. Our clients can count on varieties that are more resistant to different diseases and pests. That means higher yields and lower crop protection product dependence. A company like KWS, with its broad market presence, is worth its weight in gold to breeders."
KWS Vegetables is only active in nine crops, so there is a strong focus. According to Joan, it is just a matter of time before the company launches a far wider range. "We'll be able to contribute to the entire chain. Scarlett's high Brix value is undoubtedly a very valuable trait for maintaining a high sugar content after vacuum packaging. But with the resources now available, other characteristics will also be considered to serve every link in the chain," she says.
Focus on biotic and abiotic stress factors
The current focus is on varietal innovations, especially biotic resistances, though the breeder also pays attention to abiotic stress factors like drought and excessive moisture. Joan says that last year, they submerged the beets under water for more than a day at the KWS trial field. "The damage wasn't too bad. It's a robust crop. In Eastern Europe, growers sometimes can hardly irrigate, so drought stress is common. Because we're specifically looking for varieties that maintain their quality and yield in hot, dry conditions, those genetics can be used in a country like the Netherlands. As the past few years have shown, it's not entirely immune to heat waves or dry periods."
Developing varieties
"Our assortment presently includes two round red beets: Scarlett and Jolie. The classic beet remains our focus for variety development, and those two varieties are suitable for the fresh market and industry. One is slightly smoother, the other slightly sweeter or more vigorous. Scarlett's high Brix value is an advantage for vacuum packaging, while Jolie's smoothness is ideal for the fresh market," says Joan.
She adds that red beet fresh market sales traits differ per country. "In Brazil, the standard is very high: smoothness and a dark color are essential: Their aesthetic aspect, so to speak, along with, of course, shelf life. In Peru and Colombia, the beets are sold with their leaves, so those greens must look healthy and be firmly attached to the root. In Western Europe, there's relatively little fresh market left; most red beets are processed. But what's destined for the fresh market must, just like in Brazil, be dark in color and smooth."
Pests and diseases
Red beets are hardy and not sensitive to day length, so they can be grown worldwide using a fairly limited number of varieties. "Beets aren't fussy, so they're perfect for organic cultivation. Still, there are a few diseases and pests that require a breeding response if we don't want to resort to crop protection products," De Visser says.
She points out that fungi such as Rhizoctonia and Cercospora beticola, as well as the Rhizomania virus, pose challenges for growers, depending on the season. "Take Rhizomania. It's why current red beet varieties struggle on certain Dutch plots. Also, because most of the crop is organic, a resistant variety would make finding a suitable plot much easier."
Globally, Cercospora beticola is the greatest biotic challenge. "It causes leaf damage. On plots where those fungal spores, which are always present in the air, strike hard, the crop can lose all its foliage and the grower their yield," Joan explains. "Then, with the current crop protection products, it takes expertise to keep the crop clean during a bad year."
Two years ago, using neonicotinoids to coat seeds was banned. That has hit systemic aphid protection in the early stages of cultivation hard. To combat pests and diseases, growers must, therefore, place all their hopes on breeding companies. KWS is taking up the gauntlet and has been in an excellent position to do so since taking over Pop Vriend Seeds. "We should talk again in five years. The path we've taken leads straight to our goal," Joan concludes enthusiastically.
This article was previously published in Primeur May 2025. Click here for the link to the entire edition
For more information
Joan Visser
KWS Vegetables
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.kwsvegetables.com