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How might the sugar beet have been developed earlier in history? It was developed as an alternative to sugarcane, so it would seem that experience with sugarcane would be necessary (though to anyone that can create a plausible scenario predating cane would get bonus points).

Just off the top of my head: When the main source of European sugar is in Islamic hands during the middle ages, some ambitious monks decide to attempt to breed a local alternative for Christians, and settle on the beet.
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