Seed Germination and Bolting in Red Beet as Affected by Parent Plant Environment

Low temperature and long day regimes applied during seed development and maturation of red beet (Beta rulgaris var. rubra L.) increased the proportion of empty seed balls and reduced the germination ability of normally developed seeds. Low seed development temperatures also greatly increased the bolting susceptibility of seedlings grown at low temperatures or temperatures which are marginal for bolting, but were not able to bring about bolting under conditions which are not themselves inducive to flowering. In a field experiment a significant reduction of the root tuber yield was associated with these effects.