Abstract Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the cornerstone of global sugar production, but its yield is still seriously threatened bacterial wilt (Rhizoctonia solani), leaf spot (Cercospora leaf spot, CLS), root rot complex (Fusarium spp.) and other diseases. Traditional breeding struggles with yield-disease trade-offs and fragmented trait evaluation. This study establishes a multivariate framework integrating multi-disease resistance and agronomic traits for 38 germplasm accessions in Northeast China. Field trials quantified disease indices (DISB, BSDI, FRRCDI), yield parameters (root yield, sugar production), quality traits (sucrose, K⁺, Na⁺, α-N), and early vigor. Principal component analysis derived two core dimensions: Comprehensive Disease Resistance Value (CDRV, 48.7% variance) dominated by CLS resistance (loading = 0.82), and Comprehensive Agronomic Value (CAV, 31.2% variance) linked to sugar yield (0.89) and sucrose content (0.79). The selection index D = √(CDRV² + CAV²) ranked 780016A/1 (D = 1.71) and 8432/1 (D = 1.70) as elite performers, combining high root yield (54,233 kg·ha⁻¹), optimal sucrose (15.93–17.24%), and moderate multi-disease resistance (e.g., BSDI = 16.5–18.1). A variety of analyses were used to classify 38 germplasm resources into four functional groups, confirming synergistic trait combinations (Group I: elite accessions) and saline-adapted genotypes (Group IV: F85621 with 17.45% sucrose, 1.57 mmol/100g Na⁺). Key correlations included CLS severity-sugar yield anticorrelation (r = − 0.65, p < 0.001) and Na⁺-sucrose trade-off (r = − 0.404, p < 0.05). This framework overcomes single-trait limitations, providing validated germplasm and a data-driven strategy for breeding climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties.
Liu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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