EFFECT OF BORON SPRAY ON SOME PRODUCTIVITY PARAMETERS OF SUGERBEET IN SOME NINEVEH GOVERNORATE SOILS

Abstract

To study the effect of foliar application of boron on growth and yield of sugar beet, two representing locations to Nineveh province which are differ in their chemical and physical properties were selected. Four boron levels (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5) mg B. L-1 were sprayed, as boric acid (17.5% boron), using complete randomized block design (CRBD) with four replicates, the addition of boron was applied once and after the plant have at least six leaves. The results indicated that foliar application of boron resulted in a considerable increase in the fresh root yield of sugar beet in Hawi-Alwasta location 66.97 , 87.37 and 39.47%. However in Hammam Al-Alil location the first and second levels 2.5 and 5 mg B. L-1 as compared to zero boron resulted in an increase in the yield 2.18 and 39.33% respectively, while the highest level of boron 7.5 mg B. L-1 caused a decrease in yield (-12.19%).The foliar application of boron resulted in an increase in sugar percentage 13.95 , 18.60 and 10.46% in first location and 9.09 , 21.81 and 18.18% in second location as compared to zero boron respectively. However the yield of pure sugar in first location were 0.964 , 1.061 , 1.130 and 0.920 T.D-1 and 0.764 , 0.932 , 1.673 and 0.710 T.D-1 in second location.