Evaluation of Yield Related Traits in Sugar Beet Multigerm Hybrids Resistant to Rhizomania Disease

Rhizomania disease is one of the most destructive diseases of sugar beet in most sugar beet planting areas throughout the world. The disease widespread in some provinces in Iran, necessitates the development of new resistant hybrids and their commercially usage. In this study, new hybrids were developed from a cross between five pollinators bearing Rz1 gene and three single-crosses (276-3.27×SB36, 276-37.34×SB36, and I13×A37.1) in 2010. Developed hybrids were evaluated in an infected field to rhizomania in Fars province. Later, hybrids together with resistant and susceptible controls were evaluated in two locations of Mashhad and Karaj in 2011 and 2012. Two-years experiment r esults showed that (I13×A37.1)×S1-88239, (276-3.27×SB36)×S1-88239, and (276-37.34×SB36)×S1-88239 hybrids had better response in terms of yield and qualitative traits compared to resistant control and other hybrids. Based on the results of this experiment, pollinator S1-88239 can be also recommended for the development of resistant cultivars to rhizomania in the target areas.