Centaur

Centaur sugar beet is a medium-late semi-sugar variety of white beet of Polish selection, characterized by multi-stemmed growth and high productivity. The vegetation period ranges from 145 to 160 days, allowing for a stable yield under various climatic conditions. The plant exhibits rapid growth, strong development, and resistance to adverse factors such as drought, diseases including cercospora and yellow virus, as well as lodging. Yield potential reaches 60 to 110 tons per hectare, with beet tops yielding 33–38 tons per hectare.

The roots of the Centaur variety have oval or cylindrical shapes with white, juicy flesh containing a high content of dry matter (up to 12–14%) and sugar. The shallow root furrow minimizes soil contamination of the roots, facilitating harvesting and improving product quality. The upper part of the root and the crown are located above the soil surface, making the variety suitable for both mechanized and manual harvesting. The roots exhibit high storability and transportability, ensuring ease of storage and transportation.

For growing Centaur, sowing is recommended both in autumn and in spring, with a seeding rate of 1.5–3 g per square meter depending on the sowing time. Seeds germinate at temperatures as low as 5°C. Two thinning operations are conducted during the vegetation period for optimal plant development. Irrigation is performed 2–3 times during the summer, with cessation two weeks before harvest. The best preceding crops for this variety are cucumbers, early potatoes, and cabbage, under which organic fertilizers are applied. Due to its characteristics and resistance, the Centaur variety is widely used for fodder purposes, including cultivation on home plots.