Kestrel F1 — a mid-season hybrid of table beet with a vegetation period of 115-120 days, developed by the Japanese seed company Sakata. This hybrid is characterized by high yield and attractive root appearance, featuring smooth, uniform, round shape and dark red color both inside and out. The roots have a sweet taste and sugar content of about 10%, making them an excellent choice for fresh consumption, processing, and long-term storage under controlled conditions.
A distinctive feature of Kestrel F1 is its adaptability to cultivation in both warm and cool seasons, expanding the versatility of the hybrid. Early and uniform rooting, small crown, and slender taproot in early growth stages make this hybrid particularly suitable for producing young beets and selling in bunches or packaged form. Additionally, Kestrel F1 exhibits low ringiness of roots, enhancing their quality and appeal.
The hybrid shows high resistance to major leaf diseases such as cercosporosis (Cercospora beticola), rhizoctonia, downy mildew, and powdery mildew, ensuring stable yields and reducing the need for intensive plant protection. Thanks to these characteristics, Kestrel F1 is a reliable choice for farmers aiming to obtain high-quality, disease-resistant table beet crops.
