What is the difference between fodder beet and sugar beet: the difference in appearance, applications and other parameters

According to historians, the ancient Babylonians were the first to use beets, although so far only as a medicine. And the ancient Greeks believed that it was this root crop that gave a person strength and youth. Centuries have passed since then, and contemporaries are still using beets for food and as a medicine. At the same time, the vegetable has undergone many changes thanks to the work of breeders and has been divided into numerous varieties.

This article will focus on such varieties of beets as sugar and fodder. What are their differences and how they are used, you will learn further.

What is the difference between species

Fodder (beet) and sugar beets differ from each other in many respects. It's not only about the appearance, but also about the composition, as well as the scope of application. So, let's take a closer look at the main differences between these subspecies.

Chemical composition

This is the most important quality indicator of a vegetable. Fodder beets contain 5-8 g of carbohydrates, 9 g of proteins and 1 to 3% sucrose.

Sugar beet has a completely different composition: 20 g of carbohydrates, 0.12 g of protein and about 20% sucrose. This group of varieties of beetroot was bred by selection. In the early 19th century, the concentration of sugar in sugar beets was only 5-7%.

Differences in the depth of growth

The first sign by which you can distinguish sugar beets from fodder beets is the depth of growth. Sweet roots are always completely in the soil, only the tops are outside.

The fodder is usually located several centimeters above the ground, sometimes even two-thirds of the length of the entire vegetable without the tops. Because of this, the aboveground portion of the fodder beet will fade in the sun. It also facilitates manual harvesting, which cannot be said about machine harvesting.

Appearance

It is also easy to tell from its appearance which vegetable is in front of you. So, what visually differs from one variety from another.

Sugar beet:

• elongated shape;
• color white, beige, gray;
• dense tops (50-60 leaves), green;
• leaves are small, inconspicuous, light green.

Fodder beet:

• round or oval shape;
• color red, pink, orange;
• tops are less dense (35-40 leaves), beet-colored, green;
• leaves are small, ovoid, glossy, green.

Care features

At this point, we will start with soil selection, since the requirements for fodder and sugar beets are different.

For sugar varieties, chernozem and gray earth soils, peat bogs are suitable. Before planting them, it is advisable to grow winter wheat or barley in the intended place. The soil horizon should ideally hold water at a depth of 70 cm.

Forage varieties thrive on slightly alkaline, saline soils. Black earth will also suit them. The main thing is high fertility and additional feeding. The predecessor crops of the beet in the garden are cereals, vegetables or legumes.

Sugar beet care rules:

1. During germination of seedlings, two thinning is performed - by 5-6 cm and 15-18 cm.
2. Abundant watering immediately after sowing.
3. Weeding regularly.
4. Application of fungicide and insecticide to protect against pests during the growing season.

Rules for caring for fodder beets:

1. Loosening is carried out a few days after sowing and after rain.
2. It is necessary to weed several times during the growing season.
3. Exclude watering a month before digging.
4. Use mineral fertilizers.
5. Add Nitroammofosku to the soil before planting.

Yield

This indicator also differs for beet and sugar varieties. In the first case, the average amount of the crop is 30-60 tons per hectare of land. In the second - 15-30 tons.

The best varieties of beetle:

• Lada;
• Hope;
• Milan;
• Vermont;
• Jamon;
• Starmon.

The best sugar varieties:

• Bohemia;
• Bona;
• Araxia;
• Big Ben.

Areas of use

Sugar beets are widely used in sugar production. In Russia, it is the main resource for sugar extraction.

Also, molasses is obtained from such varieties. It is a dark brown, syrupy liquid, a byproduct of sugar from beets or cane. Molasses is also called. It is used in dishes such as ribs in sweet sauce and certain types of beer. It is believed that this is not only tasty, but also healthy product. At the same time, the tops are used for livestock feed or for soil fertilization.

Fodder beets are used to feed livestock... It has a beneficial effect on pet milk, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In the cold season, it helps to obtain the necessary vitamins, minerals and proteins.

Read also:

How to use beets for weight loss.

Will beets help from constipation and how to use them correctly to normalize stools.

How to use beets for sore throats.

For which animals are fodder beets grown?

This type of root crop is suitable for cows, pigs, goats, chickens and even rabbits.

Cows love this vegetable very much. It significantly increases their milk yield and increases the fat content of milk. The daily rate is no more than 18 kg. And 15 days before calving, you must stop feeding this culture.

For goats the effect is similar. The daily norm of an adult goat is 4-5 kg.

When root crops and tops of beetroot are consumed chickens, the shell of their eggs hardens, the yolk acquires a beautiful bright yellow color, and the health of the bird itself improves.

Pigs you can give the vegetable both raw and boiled. Since beetroot normalizes digestion and fat metabolism, eating it in pigs increases their body weight while reducing the amount of fat.

Rabbits actively eat both the tops and root crops of beets. It improves the appearance of their fur and the palatability of their meat. In addition, digestion and general health are normalized. So, regardless of the purpose of keeping rabbits, a beet is useful for them.

How to distinguish the two types visually

For clarity, the photo below shows sugar beets and fodder beets. It is easy to distinguish them by their appearance. The main thing is to remember the main points:

1. Sugar - white, fodder - claret-pink.
2. Sugar - elongated, fodder - round.

These are the main distinguishing features that will not allow you to doubt the definition.

Let's sum up

Despite the presence of a common ancestor, fodder and sugar beets are roots completely different in purpose, composition and appearance. What is most interesting is that the person himself does not eat any of these varieties. The usual beet on our table is a canteen. And sugar and fodder varieties are used for other needs that are also necessary for man.