Seed multiplication of sugarbeet: How a seed grows into the future

Sugarbeet has special requirements: two growing seasons with vernalization, a cold stimulus lasting several weeks, and the utmost care during flowering and seed harvesting. “Only when pollination, weather, irrigation, nutrient supply and plant health interact optimally high-quality sugarbeet seed can be produced”, explains Mario Sean Poni, Head of Seed Multiplication Italy.

The Emilia-Romagna region in Italy is one of the most important locations for KWS's seed production. Here alone, KWS plans, plants, cultivates, and tests more than 250 varieties. However, KWS also successfully produces seeds at other locations in southern France, Turkey, and the USA.

The seeds are processed at the world's biggest facility for sugarbeet seed processing in Einbeck. There, the seeds are calibrated, polished and sorted, and selected using X-ray technology. The coating applied during the pelleting process serves as the basis for the plant protection products and improves drillability (single seed placement). Finally, fungicides, insecticides, and the typical orange color are applied.

The focus of seed production is on quality, varietal purity, and genetic stability. KWS combines nature, precision, and decades of expertise to provide farmers with high-germination, high-yield seeds for a variety of conditions. This is appreciated by customers all over the world: In the 2024/2025 fiscal year, KWS shipped a total of around 3.3 million seed boxes to farmers for approximately 2.75 million hectares.

Further information on this topic can be found here:

The Power of CR+

CONVISO® SMART

Beet for Feeding