Sugarbeet - Bioenergy Crop Plants - page 713

efforts include transcriptional profiling under stress conditions in sugarbeet, thus increasing our
understanding of the crop productivity under different physiological conditions, which could
be utilized in crop improvement (Pestsova et al. 2009). Another study by Ozolina et al. (2005)
explored the fluctuation of plant hormones and sugar deposition in sugarbeet, thus adding to our
existing knowledge base of sugar distribution. Sadaghian et al. (1993) conducted an experiment
to identify the genetic basis of number of cells, their length, and GA sensitivity in sugarbeet
in relation to bolting, which ultimately determines productivity. Selective photoassimilate
partitioning should also be included in the crop improvement regimes. Another strategy could
be manipulating the C 3 mechanism of photosynthesis in favor of the C 4 mechanism, which is
present in the grass family and at present, can only be grown in tropical regions. Such mechanism
should be explored in sugarbeet, thus increasing carbon sequestration. Sévenier et al. (1998)
ectopically expressed a gene encoding 1-sucrose::sucrose fructosyl transferase ( 1-SST ) from
Helianthus tuberosus into sugarbeet that increases fructan (forms of simple sugars) content
without subsequently altering plant architecture. This could later be used potentially in biofuel
production. Further, manipulating genes for enhanced solar energy capture and conversion of
photosynthate to sugars (as mentioned in relation to C 3 and C 4 crops), and genes that provide
endurance to plants growing under saline conditions or on land not usable for cultivation should
be emphasized particularly when soil salinity problems are growing out of proportion in the
modern world (Antizar-Ladislao and Turrion-Gomez 2008). Therefore, production of transgenic
plants with the above-mentioned traits would help in developing a more robust plant phenotype
that was not always possible through conventional or molecular breeding.
Better extension activity should be adopted to disseminate new technologies and crop varieties
to the farming community and better postharvest facility should be ensured.
29.6 alternatIve uses
Sugarbeet is largely used for sugar production and as a root vegetable crop throughout the world.
Although it had humble beginnings as a minor crop that was considered a poor man's food or feed
for cattle, today it has gained widespread importance. It is in fact the same species as red garden
beets. After the sugar has been extracted, the molasses can be used as a material source for biogas
production and as a fertilizer (Okiely 1992). The leftover biomass after extraction of the sugar can
be used as cattle feed. The green mass left after harvesting the crop can be ploughed back to the soil,
restoring soil fertility and organic matter content. Keeping these points in perspective, sugarbeet
cultivation may act as a sort of incentive for the farming community in terms of rural employment
and socioeconomic development, soil conservation, agricultural sustainabiltity, and as such in the
developing world (Venturi and Venturi 2003).
29.7 Further dIscussIons and conclusIons
As the demand for alternative biofuel crops intensifies along with the long-standing debate between
“food versus fuel” in the modern world, sugarbeet has come a long way to be a part of the solution,
being able to provide a green fuel in this era of climate change concerns. What was considered as
poor man's crop or as a cattle feed crop species and largely neglected a few centuries ago could now
be a lead crop in sugar production for the liquid fuel industry. With falling sugar prices, sugarbeet
can be put to another use—to produce bioethanol instead for traditional uses—thus ensuring good
returns to the growers. As conversion of sugar to ethanol still remains the most viable and practical
option to produce biofuels, the popularity of sugarbeet in biofuel production is bound to increase.
This requires a major restructuring of the sugar industry throughout the world backed by reasonable
pricing for the producers. Biofuel plants, which use sugarbeet, should be located in the vicinity of
the area of production to decrease the price of production and create ample avenues of employment.
Further, the production and supply chain need to be straightened, thus eliminating unnecessary