The fodder beet ( Beta vulgaris L. var. crassa ) is cultivated presently in almost all European countries, and in Romania on large surfaces in West Plain. Vest. This crop is used as a valuate source of cattle food. Due to its high content of water and sugar, it increases the milk production and is an appropriate fodder for the dairy cows (albayrak s. and necdet ç., 2007, lauwers t., 2009) . Usually, the fodder beet is administrated chopped and mixed with straws. The goal of this paper is to find a mathematical model which will allow to analyze the studied varieties of fodder beet under aspect of some quantitative characteristics (by correlation method) and then to classify them considering the similitude degree (in this case considering the first two factors). The biological material that was studied is represented by 16 varieties of fodder beet and it represents a valuable and highly diversified material from ecological viewpoint (Belgium, Germany, Poland, Romania), reason why there was considered useful to see what is their behaviour in conditions of Banat. The variability study of the root characteristics (root weight, root length, maximum diameter of the root) and of the leaf characteristics (leaf number, green leaf number and foliar surface) was made basing on biometric determinations. There were determined the linear correlations between the morphological characters up mentioned and then, basing on these correlations, there was realised an analysis of the main components and a cluster analysis (using the Euclidian distance and Ward method) which revealed that the varieties Angoba, Troya, Feldher and Ketil; Monro, Polifuraj 2, Beta Rosa and Ursus; Gonda, Tamara and Kyros I; Brigadier and Marshal; Fumona, Zentaur and respectively Tamon formed clusters, showing a strong similarity between them. The values of the genetic potential in fodder beet are manifested only if the variety is maintained in genetic equilibrium and whether it will receive appropriate condition of cultivation.

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Presentation: oral