Merlin F1 Hybrid Round Red Beetroot
OUTSTANDING QUALITIES
- EARLY TO MID-MATURING RED BEETROOT
- ADAPTED TO WARM SEASON PRODUCTION
- GLOBE SHAPED ROOTS WITH DARK RED EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL COLOUR
- HIGH SUGAR CONTENT – PREFERRED BY PROCESSORS
Merlin is an early to medium maturing hybrid red beetroot, adapted for summer production. Merlin has smooth, uniform, deep red, globe shaped roots with a small crown and refined taproot. Merlin offers higher sugar content (12 – 15%) in comparison to standard beet varieties. Due to its high sugar content, Merlin is a perfect choice for processors, fresh market growers and home gardeners. In addition, Merlin is also suitable for baby leaf and baby beet production. Merlin is less prone to zoning during warm conditions/heat stress. Merlin has intermediate resistance to Cercospora leaf spot/Cb (Cercospora beticola) and Downy mildew/Pfb Peronospora farinosa f.sp. betae. The latter ensures that the tops remain erect and healthy for optimum production and visual appeal in bunching.
SPECIAL VARIETAL REQUIREMENTS
- Sakata do not recommend sowing during April, May and June in areas prone to heavy frost.
- Contact a Sakata area representative for a beetroot sowing guide.
CHARACTERISTIC: MERLIN
KIND: F1 garden beet hybrid (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris var. conditiva Alef.)
SOWING SEASON: Summer
MATURITY: Early to medium. Warm season: 70 – 85 days from sowing. Note: Maturity depends on sowing date, production location and seasonal variations.
ROOT DIMENSIONS: Small to large (25 – 95 mm). Root size is influenced by the plant population
ROOT SHAPE: Round
ROOT UNIFORMITY (SHAPE AND SIZE): Excellent
EXTERNAL ROOT/SKIN COLOUR: Dark red
INTERNAL ROOT/FLESH COLOUR: Dark red
INTERNAL ZONING: Little to none
ROOT SKIN SMOOTHNESS: Very smooth
ROOT TASTE/BRIX (SUGAR CONTENT): Very sweet, high BRIX (12 – 15%)
TAPROOT APPEARANCE: Short, fine and neat
TOP/FOLIAGE HEIGHT: Tall, 35 – 40 cm
LEAF/FOLIAGE HEALTH AND HABIT: Upright/erect
LEAF/FOLIAGE COLOUR AND GLOSS: Dark green and glossy
PERCENTAGE LEAF PURPLING: Average
CROWN SIZE: Small
LEAF ATTACHMENT (SIZE AND STRENGTH): Medium to large and average
BOLTING REACTION: Average tolerance
DISEASE RESISTANCE (SCIENTIFIC):
Intermediate resistance: Cercospora beticola (Cb) and Peronospora farinosa f.sp. betae (Pfb)
SUGGESTED SOWING DENSITY:
Density depends on the season, sprout count, size requirement of the roots and the target market/uses of the final product, however, we suggest:
Pre-pack beetroot: 350 000 – 550 000 plants per hectare
Processing/larger beetroot: 250 000 – 350 000 plants per hectare
Baby beetroot: 900 000 – 1 200 000 plants per hectare
MARKET USE: Fresh market, processing and baby beet production
SUGAR CONTENT: Very high (13 – 15 %)
TOP HEIGHT: 38 – 43 cm
LEAF HABIT: Erect
LEAF COLOUR AND GLOSS: Dark green/glossy
PURPLE IN LEAF (BETALIN PIGMENT): Low
PLANT POPULATION: 450 000 – 550 000 seeds per ha for normal roots. 600 000 – 800 000 for baby beet production
UNIFORMITY: Very good
SPECIAL FEATURES: Excellent yield, leaf colour stays green throughout growing season, very high sugar content, excellent for baby beet, processing and fresh market, and tall dark green tops can also be used for cooking
