Producing seeds in organic farming – Red beet (original) (raw)

{Tool}Producing seeds in organic farming – Red beet. [Produire des semences en agriculture biologique - Fiche Betterave potagère.] Creator(s): Brun, Laura; Mabire, Laetitia; Pouzin, L.; REY, Frederic; Delmond, François and Conseil, Mathieu. Issuing Organisation(s): FNAMS - Fédération Nationale des Agriculteurs Multiplicateurs de Semences, ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture Biologique. (2025)

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Summary

This technical sheet provides comprehensive guidance on organic seed production of red beet (Beta vulgaris). It covers crop requirements, rotation, isolation distances, and establishment methods (direct sowing or transplanting), with specific recommendations for fertilisation, irrigation, and weed control under organic conditions. The document details key risks related to diseases and pests, along with preventive and curative management strategies compatible with organic farming. It also describes flowering, pollination, topping practices, and specific precautions for F1 hybrid seed production. Finally, it outlines harvest, post-harvest handling, drying, and seed quality standards required for certification.

EPrint Type: Practice tool
Teaser: A practical guide to manage the technical constraints and risks of organic red beet seed production, from crop establishment to harvest and seed quality standards.
What problem does the tool address?: This technical sheet addresses the need for clear, practical guidance to manage the complexity and risks of organic red beet seed production. Producing red beet seed involves strict constraints related to crop rotation, isolation distances, establishment methods, and high sensitivity to weeds, diseases, pests, water stress, and seed shattering at maturity. The document responds to these challenges by providing technical references to secure crop performance, limit yield and quality losses, and meet seed certification standards under organic farming conditions. 
What solution does the tool offer?: The technical sheet provides practical solutions to support organic red beet seed production by detailing recommended practices at each stage of the crop cycle. It proposes concrete guidelines for crop establishment, fertilisation, irrigation, weed control, and disease and pest management compatible with organic farming. The document also offers solutions to reduce major risks such as cross-pollination, seed shattering at maturity, and yield losses through appropriate isolation distances, topping practices, and adapted harvest methods. Finally, it defines post-harvest handling procedures and quality standards to ensure seed viability and certification compliance.
Country: France
Type of Practice Tool: Leaflets & guidelines
Keywords: Organic red beet seed production - learn best practices here
Agrovoc keywords: Englishseedshttp://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c\_6946Englishvegetableshttp://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c\_8174Englishseed productionhttp://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c\_6937
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Breeding, genetics and propagation Crop husbandry > Post harvest management and techniques
Research affiliation: France > CASDAR France > FNAMS - Fédération Nationale des Agriculteurs Multiplicateurs de Semences France > ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture Biologique
Related Links: https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/56819, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/52941, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/52128, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/52940, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/39725, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/52938, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/39719, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/40034, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/40033
Project ID: ofk
Deposited By: rey, m. frederic
ID Code: 56819
Deposited On: 19 Feb 2026 14:40
Last Modified: 19 Feb 2026 14:40
Document Language: French/Francais
Status: Published

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