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| 29 October 2001 : (2170 day degrees since sowing) |
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With the recent rainfall BERTIE is getting plenty of water, but could do with a little more sunshine. However, even on dull days BERTIE receives energy from the sun which he converts into sugar. What he does not want is a severe frost, as that will damage many of his leaves. The UK has relatively mild autumns (and 2001 has been particularly warm) and this is one of the reasons why sugar beet do so well in this country. |
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| 22 October 2001 : (2097 day degrees since sowing |
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BERTIE was a bit upset that we didn't photograph him last week, but we were all very busy preparing for Beet UK. We did take a BERTIE poster and it was included on the BBRO (British Beet Research Organisation) stand.
He is looking very healthy compared to the beet plant in the foreground of the picture, which is displaying effects of virus yellows. |
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| 8 October 2001 : (1937 day degrees since sowing) |
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Although some of the older leaves are showing signs of senescence, BERTIE is still going strong. As the days get duller and shorter, the amount of sugar BERTIE produces each day reduces. However the total amount of sugar produced is still increasing significantly and will continue to do so until BERTIE's harvest on November 21. |
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| 1 October 2001 : (1900 day degrees since sowing |
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Here is the close up that we promised. The powdery mildew can clearly been seen as the grey covering on the surface of the leaf. |
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