ISABELLA KWS

Isabella KWS represents a major plant breeding breakthrough – it is  the first commercial variety available to UK growers with Rz2 double rhizomania resistance. 

Double rhizomania resistance packs the  the traditional Holly gene and the new Rz2 gene into the beet plant.  This provides two major genes to give rhizomania resistance instead of one currently employed across all other established varieties. 

What is more,  Isabella KWS has no yield penalty or agronomic weaknesses.  It has a high adjusted yield of 101%, just 1.7% behind the top Recommended List variety. 

It combines this with a very good disease resistance package and an early sown bolter score below the mean of the control varieties.  So, if you are looking for an excellent all-round sugar beet variety with unbeatable resistance to rhizomania look to Isabella KWS.

Relative data		Mean of (c) varieties	ROSALINDA KWS
Adjusted tonnes  %		100.0	101.0
Sugar yield %		100.0	100.8
Root yield %		100.0	99.0
Sugar content %		18.77	19.08
Establishment %		93	92
Early sown bolters		433	326
Normal sown bolters		17	7
Resistance 1 = v.low 9 = v.high	Rust	5	6
	Powdery mildew	2	8

 Data source: BBRO/NIAB RL of Sugar Beet varieties 2012

What is Double Rhizomania Resistance?

Double rhizomania resistance is the incorporation of two major rhizomania resistant genes in one beet plant, the Holly gene plus the new Rz2 gene.

What benefit does this have for me?

The benefits of the Rz2 gene have already been demonstrated in parts of the UK where a recently identified AYPR rhizomania strain has been found which is able to overcome the Holly gene.

In trials near Woodbridge, in Suffolk, plots of a variety with the Rz2 gene had higher sugar content, higher root yield and 31% higher adjusted yield compared to those combining the traditional Holly gene. 

This clearly shows the benefit of adopting this new Rz2 double rhizomania resistant material where the AYPR strain is confirmed or suspected. 

Research from France confirms the benefits of these double resistant types under the A, B and P strains of rhizomania with double rhizomania resistant beet varieties performing better under medium to high levels of infestation.

Further research is required to gain UK information on the performance of double resistant varieties under the A, B and P strains.

When can I try Isabella KWS on my farm?

Isabella KWS has now been officially recommended as the first double rhizomania resistant variety commercially available on the UK 2012 RL and can be ordered through British Sugar.  If you think or know rhizomania exists on your property and would like to see how the new double resistant variety performs on your farm alongside the standard rhizomania varieties then put Isabella KWS to the test.