The 75^th IIRB Congress took place 16-17 February 2016 at the Hotel Radisson Blu Royal in Brussels, Belgium. It welcomed an international audience of 280 persons.

Opening session

The Congress opened on 16^th February after the General Assembly of IIRB members with the session 'Challenging the yield gap of sugar beet'. Four guest speakers from research, breeding and sugar industry presented the audience their perspective and ideas on how to further increase the effective­ness sugar beet cultivation in the future.

Technical sessions

For the technical sessions on 16^th and 17^th February an interesting programme of 19 presentations was put together with a focus on yield gap, mechanical weed control, topical pests and disease issues, and the quality and storage of beets. Two poster sessions with more than 80 posters gave insight in latest research findings in genetics and breeding, agronomy, plant nutrition, weed, pest and disease control, harvest, storage and beet quality, and communication and cooperations. Please find further details in the programmes.

Presentations and posters

The abstract brochure of all presentations and posters shown at the congress can be downloaded here.