www.bsdf-assbt.org/wp-content/up...BeetsSeeds.pdf
Erratic germination of sugar-beet seeds is rather common. Some varieties and progenies germinate more rapidly than others. Inhibitory substances present in the seed ball have been shown to delay or inhibit germination. In contrast, the author has observed in certain progenies of sugar beets that the seedballs do not retard germination but actually stimulate germination and early growth of seedlings. The structure of the seedball might also be expected to influence speed of germination. This is a report of observations From experiments designed to evaluate the effect of some seedball characteristics on germination.