EFFECT OF POTASSIUM FERTILIZER ON NEW VARIETIES OF SUGAR BEET (Beta vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Field experiment was carried out at Rashedia field, Ninavah during 2001—2002 and 2002-2003 with clay loam soil to study the effect of different level of potassium fertilizer (0.0,30,60 and 90kg ha-1) on growth and yield of three sugar beet varieties (Tenor, Tripel which are monogerm and Panama is multigerm ).Results indicated that root yield, sugar percentage and total sugar yield had significant effect over two 30 and 60kg ha-1 potassium fertilizer, while total soild soluble material and extractable sugar yield were significant under 30,60or 90kg ha-1of potassium. It had noted a reduction in juice purity percentage when it used 90kg ha-1 of potassium. Tenor and Panama varieties had to excel in root yield, sugar percentage and total sugar yield, also Panama variety had to surpass in total solid soluble material and extractable sugar yield. Significant result was obtained in extractable sugar yield when it used all the different level of potassium (30, 60 or 90kg ha-1) with Panama variety. There is a significant and positive correlation between total sugar yield with the sugar percentage and root yield. Also extractable sugar yield had correlation with the percentage of total solid soluble material and root yield.