Resumen

RATTIN, J. et al. Las multifacéticas remolachas: una reevaluación de sus posibilidades productivas a la luz de los conocimientos actuales. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2022, vol.48, n.1, pp.24-40.  Epub 06-Abr-2022. ISSN 1669-2314.

The species Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris includes the so-called beets, of which there are three types, red (vegetable) beet, sugar beet and forage beet. Although in every case the main organ of agronomic interest is the storage root, the three beet types constitute very different crops, both in terms of crop characteristics and products obtained. This may be the reason why they have generally been studied separately. The ability of this species to accumulate in its roots bioactive compounds at high concentration, together with its proven adaptation to vast areas of temperate climate, have prompted global interest in its cultivation. This is also supported by a growing concern for human health, food quality and care for the environment. This renewed interest raises the need to review the current state of knowledge about the ecophysiology of the three beet types, which in turn may provide tools that will allow optimizing crop productivity and quality. In the present review, an integrative analysis of the information currently available on the different types of beet is carried out, and new possibilities of beet utilization are outlined. The ecophysiology of the three beet types is comparatively analyzed throughout the growth cycle, and critical aspects of production and quality are analyzed for the different crop purposes. Many of the proposed new uses involve red beets, for which eco-physiological information available is relatively scarce. Finally, it is discussed up to what extent the existing knowledge about one type can be extrapolated to the others, and which studies may be needed to maximize crop achievements, and ultimately, facilitate adoption of beet crops for different purposes.

Palabras clave : Beta vulgaris; bioenergy; nutraceutical compounds; ecophysiology; forage; yield.

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