Project B-WISE: research for the next generation of sugar beet varieties
On 24 June 2026, together with our partners, we officially launched B-WISE: a major research project that will help develop the next generation of sugar beet varieties.
Supported by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) through a research project subsidy for innovation, B-WISE (Beet Water and nItrogen use Efficiency for Sustainable and resilient sugar beets) will strengthen our understanding of how genetics, environment and crop management interact to drive yield, nitrogen efficiency and drought resilience.
Why is this project so important?
Farmers are facing increasing pressure from:
- Volatile fertilizer costs
- Stricter nitrogen regulations
- Growing climate uncertainty
To remain competitive and sustainable, crops must deliver more with fewer inputs.
Through B-WISE, we aim to generate the knowledge needed to breed sugar beet varieties that are more resilient, more resource-efficient and better adapted to tomorrow’s farming conditions.
The project is a great example of innovation through collaboration, bringing together ILVO, Biometris (Wageningen University & Research) and United Beet Seeds (UBS), with the project being actively supported and closely followed by stakeholders across the sugar beet industry.
We’re looking forward to the next steps and the impact B-WISE will create for growers and the sugar beet sector!
“B-WISE is a key step in linking sustainability challenges directly to breeding decisions. It helps us better understand how our varieties behave in real farming conditions, how they respond to water and nitrogen stress, and how we can make them even more resilient for the future.”
With support of VLAIO, ILVO and Biometris (Wageningen University & Research)
