Changes in quality of selected red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars during the growing season

Red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) may be consumed at all stages of growth, both in the form of small early vegetable during spring and later, during winter, when stored. Therefore, knowledge of the dynamics of changes in the content of individual components in subsequent stages of growth is very important.

The experiment was conducted for two consecutive growing seasons. The study included four cultivars of red beet ‘Boro’ F₁, ‘Czerwona Kula’, ‘Nochowski’ and ‘Regulski Cylinder’. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of changes of selected components during the growing season. Particular attention was paid to the content of components having a positive impact on the quality of red beet, such as: antioxidant activity, the content of betalain pigments, soluble sugars and dry matter.

On the basis of the survey it was demonstrated that the optimal harvest date of red beet roots, with respect to the favorable nutrient and health-related content, falls in the 8^th and 11^th week of the growing season depending on the weather conditions in a given year. A significant increase in the anti-radical activity, soluble sugars as well as betanin and vulgaxanthin (2009) was observed between the 6^th and the 8^th and also in the 11^th week of the cultivation. A gradual drop in betanin to vulgaxanthin ratio was observed within the following weeks of the vegetation. On the basis of the research conducted we can conclude that the cultivar recommended for consumption is ‘Nochowski’.