Submitted to: American Society of Sugarbeet Technologists
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: March 3, 2003
Publication Date: July 30, 2003
Citation: PANELLA, L.W. BETA GERMPLASM EVALUATION AND DATA IN THE DATABASE.. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SUGARBEET TECHNOLOGISTS. 2003. Technical Abstract: Since it was established in 1983, the Sugarbeet Crop Germplasm Committee (CGC) has aggressively managed the evaluation of the accessions of Beta germplasm held the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Currently, the NPGS holds 2,441 accessions, ranging from wild sugarbeet relatives to heritage open-pollinated varieties, and released germplasm registered in Crop Science. There are more than 4,500 records of evaluations of accessions for resistance to twelve major pests and diseases of sugarbeet. These data and more information are contained in the Genetic Resources Information Network (GRIN) database, managed by the USDA-ARS NPGS. GRIN can be publicly accessed through the World Wide Web - URL: http://www.ars grin.gov/npgs . Between 1996 and 2002 the U.S. evaluation activities have been complemented by the project "Evaluation and enhancement of Beta collections for the extension of agricultural production" (GENRES CT95 42). This project was funded by the Commission of the European Countries. Eleven project partners in six European countries collaborated in core collection development, seed multiplication, germplasm evaluation and data documentation. Project partners in Germany, Greece, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Italy and The Netherlands did the screening for resistance to seedling diseases (Aphanomyces cochlioides, Phoma betae), leaf diseases (Cercospora beticola, Erysiphe betae, BYV, BMYV) and root diseases (Rhizomania, Rhizoctonia solani), as well as drought tolerance. In total 16397 characterizations and 5248 evaluation data have been recorded.