Sugar beet hybrid Ark is a diploid NZ-type variety intended for cultivation in the Polissia, Forest-Steppe, and Steppe zones. The plant features a semi-erect leaf rosette, with 50 to 60 leaves per plant. The root system is taprooted, penetrating the soil to a depth of 2–2.5 meters and branching out to a width of 1–1.2 meters. The root crop has a cylindrical-conical shape, is large, and is fully embedded in the soil, contributing to its stability and harvest quality.
Hybrid Ark exhibits high resistance to major sugar beet diseases such as cercosporosis, powdery mildew, and root rot, and is not affected by root maggots. It possesses high sugar content (18–19%), making it attractive for industrial cultivation. Additionally, the variety is resistant to glyphosate (Roundup), facilitating weed control and enhancing the effectiveness of agronomic practices.
Yield varies depending on climatic zone and growing conditions: in Polissia, it yields 600–650 centners per hectare; in the Forest-Steppe, 600–800 centners per hectare; and in the Steppe under irrigation, it reaches 850–950 centners per hectare. Ark requires adequate moisture and optimal temperatures, though it is heat-tolerant. To achieve maximum productivity, fertilization and adherence to agronomic norms are recommended.
