sugar beet

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is a plant whose root contains a high concentration of sucrose and is grown commercially for sugar production. 1 It is derived from the domesticated beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and is said to get its name from the Greek letter beta because the swollen, turnip-like root resembles a Greek B. 2 Sugar beet is grown as a summer crop in relatively cool parts of the temperate zones and is subject to many diseases and insect pests, such as black root rot. 3 Breeders are constantly seeking disease-resistant sugar beets of higher sucrose content and heavier root weight. 3