Taxonomy and cultonomy of beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Abstract

A new classification for the cultivated and weed forms of beet is proposed. The paper includes a short description of concept and rules of the new system for the nomenclature of cultivated plants, as published in the 1995 International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants or Cultivated Plant Code. The classification has an open character, and is formed around the basic elements called culta (singular culton). Culta need not be grouped in a hierarchical way, as in botanical classification (basic elements taxa, singular taxon), but may be grouped according to cultivar. The relevant culta for beet are the named cultivars and the newly formed cultivar groups. A summary of the latest revision of the taxonomy of Beta section Beta, has been included. The description of B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris is changed, by adding the weed beet populations. Finally, the new classification system for cultivated plants is applied to beet, leading to a proposal to distinguish four cultivar groups: Leaf Beet Group, Garden Beet Group, Fodder Beet Group and Sugar Beet Group. The relationship between the new cultivar groups and those designated by UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants) and recommended by the Cultivated Plant Code, is discussed.