Sugar beet Helios is a two-year root crop of the Chenopodiaceae family, propagated by seeds. The plant forms a root with firm white flesh and basal leaves forming a rosette. Helios is a cold-resistant and sun-loving crop capable of yielding high harvests even on moderately saline soils provided proper care and adherence to agronomic requirements.
For successful cultivation of sugar beet Helios, optimal conditions include seed germination temperatures from +10 to +12°C, and growth and development temperatures from +20 to +22°C. The plant is moderately demanding for soil fertility and particularly positively responds to application of half-rotted fertilizers, while fresh manure may degrade root quality. Water requirement increases with growth, but excessive soil moisture before harvest may damage roots and reduce their sugar content.
Sugar beet Helios contains 18–20% sugar and is widely used for sugar production, as well as for fodder purposes. Thanks to its good storability and transportability, the harvest retains its quality for a long time. To achieve maximum cultivation efficiency, winter sowing is recommended, which promotes better plant development and increases crop yield.
