Soil losses due to carrot and sweetpotato harvesting: the role of root morphology

Soil loss due to root crop harvesting increases with tillage operations

Aim. To study the influence of parental components of the crossing on the manifestation of the traits “yield of root crops” and “sugar content” in the hybrid progeny for the production of simple CМS hybrids. To create high-yielding simple CМS hybrids as a parent component for the formation of experimental sugar beet hybrids on а CМS basіs. Methods. Field (experiments, phenological observations), laboratory (to determine sugar content), measuring and weighing (to determine the crop structure), statistical (mathematical processing of research results). Results. The nature of the inheritance of productivity traits for the formation of simple CМS sugar beet hybrids has been established. For different combinations of crossings, the value of the inheritance coefficients (h2) of the trait “yield of root crops” from the parent form (O-type line) to the hybrid varied within 0.11–0.71 and 0.52–0.63 from the maternal form (CМS line). The inheritance coefficients of the trait “sugar content” from the parental form were in the range of 0.46–0.53 and 0.42–0.55 from the maternal form. An intermediate type of inheritance was observed for the sugar content in root crops. The best CМS lines and O-type lines have been identified as sources of economic and valuable traits. Seven combining-capable simple CМS hybrids with a high level of basic productivity were created for further use as a maternal component in the selection of sugar beet hybrids on а CМS basіs. Conclusions. A significant influence of the maternal component genotype on the level of yield of root crops of simple CМS hybrids has been established. A regularity has been revealed that the higher the total combining ability of CМS lines, the lower the degree of transfer of the trait “yield of root crops” from the parental form (O-type line) to the hybrid. There is no “mother plant” effect on sugar content in root crops, and an intermediate type of inheritance was observed in hybrids. The use of simple CМS hybrids with an increased level of basic productivity as a maternal component will significantly increase the efficiency of the breeding process for creating competitive sugar beet hybrids on а CМS basіs.

With the advancement of technology and the national effort to promote the development of agricultural mechanization, sweet potato harvester technology is continuously evolving. To solve the problems related to high skin breakage rates and high damage rates during sweet potato harvesting, it is necessary to develop a conveying and separation mechanism that facilitates low skin breakage rates, low injury rates, good potato–soil separation, and smooth transport. This paper elaborates on the working modes of mechanized sweet potato harvesting, focusing on the current state of research on the conveying and separating mechanisms of sweet potato harvesters both in China and elsewhere. The functions of different types of conveying chains are summarized, the conveying and separating technologies used for the mechanized harvesting of other root crops that can be applied to sweet potato harvesters are analyzed, and an outlook on the development trends regarding sweet potato harvesters is provided.

The search for effective technical solutions and scientific directions for substantiating the rational parameters of the working bodies of thick-cutting devices, which ensure an increase in the production of strategically important for the leading processing industries of Ukraine's economy (energy - biofuel; food - sugar, coffee; pharmaceutical - inulin) of technical crops or root crops is relevant and a significant direction of research, both for science and practice. The article presents the results of testing the adequacy of the developed analytical model, which functionally describes the process of unloading the cut root crop pulp onto the surface of the harvested field by the transport element (screw conveyor) of the pulp cutting module depending on the parameters of the screw conveyor. On the basis of the processing of the experimental data array, the regression equation of the change in the width of the formed swath of cut chaff was obtained depending on the input parameters: the speed of the chaff harvesting module, the chaff yield and the rotation frequency of the screw conveyor. It was established that within the range of variation of the input factors, the speed of movement of the module from 1.6 to 2.4 m/s, the yield of root crops from 120 to 180 t/ha and the rotation frequency of the screw conveyor from 40 to 100 rpm, the width of the formed roll of chopped the width of the swath is in the range from 0.5 to 1.4 m. The difference between the experimental and theoretical values of the width of the formed swath is within 5...10%. The obtained results of scientific research are a further step in the improvement of the methodology of optimizing the rational parameters of the working bodies of root-harvesting machines.

Purpose. Isolation of donors of valuable breeding and genetic traits and the creation of a new source material for the selection of parental components of sugar beet hybrids according to the shape of the root. Evaluation of the productive potential of experimental sugar beet hybrids with improved root shape parameters. Methods. Field (experiments, phenological observations), laboratory (determination of sugar content), measuring and weighing (determination of crop structure), statistical (mathematical processing of research results). Results. The results of the evaluation of the basic productivity of parental components of different genetic structure and productivity of experimental sugar beet hybrids with improved root shape are presented. An increase in the yield of root crops, sugar yield and sugar output per unit area in sugar beet hybrids on a cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) basis, created using multigerm pollinators with an improved root crop shape (oval-conical), has been established. Experimental hybrids formed on the basis of first generation of multigerm pollinators of backcross (BC1) prevailed the group standard in root crop yield by 15.2–22.8%, sugar yield and sugar output by 14.4–19.4% and 11.5–17.5%, respectively. The sugar content was below or at the level of the group standard. Similar indicators of hybrids formed on the basis of pollinators of the second generation of backcross (BC2) were 14.0–21.2%, 17.0–23.2% and 17.6–23.9%, respectively. The sugar content was at the level of the group standard. Root shape index indicators were 1.32 and 1.28, respectively. The hybrids formed using the initial multigerm pollinators were characterized by a conical root shape (shape index – 0.61). According to indicators of yield, sugar yield and sugar output per unit area, they were at the level of the group standard. Conclusions. It was established that the shape of the root crop is an important factor in improving the productive potential of sugar beets in selection for heterosis. The change in the shape of the root crop from conical to oval-conical leads to an increase in the productivity of multigerm pollinators of sugar beets by 8–19% and hybrids created with their participation by 17–23%.

The test chemical Mikrometsen – bis (hydroxymethyl) phosphinic acid (mixture of salts) having high growth regulating and antistress property, in case of twice repeated spraying, reinforced growth of beet tops (number of leaves – 20,7-28,0, control – 17,9 pcs/plant; leaves area – 34,72-38,59 dm2 /plant; biomass of leaves – 188,39-248,32, control -161,74 g/plant) and formation of root crops (length – 29,4-32,3, control – 27,8 cm, diameter – 7,4-8,0, control – 6.9 cm, mass – 438.93-461.24, control – 417.26g). It was also established that with an increase in the consumption rate of the chemical, the absolute values of growth and mass indicators of tops and root crops enhanced. The most powerful leaf rosette and large root crops were formed in the option of treatment of sugar beet plants with the chemical Micrometsen twice (1-st in phase of 4-6 leaves, 2-nd in 20 days after the first) where the consumption rate was 10mg/ha (consumption of working solution – 200 l/ha). In this option, the maximum increase in the yield of root crops was obtained – 12.1%, yield under control – 365.9 centner/ha, sugar yield per hectar – 70.13 centner (control – 58.18 centner).

Sugar beet is one of the economically significant industrial crops for the south and southeast of Kazakhstan. In the conditions of Kazakhstan, the best predecessors of sugar beet are winter wheat and alfalfa, which contribute to the improvement of the susceptibility of beet rot. Early plowing by the semi-pair type in the second decade of August allows reducing the susceptibility of root crops to Fusarium rot by 18%. It is shown that 6 centner/ha of wheat straw on the artificial background contributed to decrease in the prevalence of Fusarium rot, on average 1.4 times, Rhizoctoniosis rot – 1.2 times compared with the control. Increasing the rate of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers contribute to the development of root rot (2-3 times) of sugar beet. To reduce the severity of rotten root crops (from 1.3 to 2.5 times), 6 t/ha of wheat straw are proposed to be applied to the soil together with N90P75K70. Seed treatment with tachigaren seed, rovral and fundazol reduces the development of rot by 8.1-16.6% and leads to an increase in yield of root crops by 31.5-50.2 c/ha.

The article presents the results of field studies aimed at studying the effect of suspensions of native Bacillus subtilis strains on the spread and intensity of development of the main diseases of the sugar beet leaf apparatus. The relevance of the study is due to the need to develop environmentally friendly plant protection methods, reduce the use of chemical fungicides and increase crop resistance to phytopathogens. The authors conducted field trials using Bacillus subtilis strains 20 and 17(8), which demonstrated high effectiveness in combating the main diseases of sugar beet: alternariasis, cercosporosis, fomosis, viral jaundice and powdery mildew. Treatment of plants with a suspension of Bacillus subtilis allowed to reduce the intensity of development and prevalence of these diseases compared with control samples and the standard biological preparation Alirin-B. In addition, the research results confirmed the positive effect of Bacillus subtilis treatment on sugar beet productivity. The yield of root crops in the treated variants increased by 5.2–10.7 t/ha compared to the control, which is associated with an improvement in the phytosanitary condition of crops. Despite the fact that the sugar content in root crops has changed slightly, the total sugar harvest per hectare increased by 1.26–1.82 t/ha due to increased yields. Thus, the conducted studies confirm the effectiveness of Bacillus subtilis strains 20 and 17(8) in the biological protection of sugar beet. Their use helps to reduce plant damage, increase yields and improve the environmental safety of agricultural technologies. The use of antagonistic microorganisms can become an important element of integrated plant protection systems, reducing the use of chemical fungicides and increasing the resistance of crops to phytopathogens.

The aim of the research was to reveal the adaptive features of the original collection material of radish Raphanus sativus L. in terms of "total root yield" and "vitamin C content". Methods. Field, biometric, statistical. The following indicators were used to assess the parameters of adaptive capacity and ecological plasticity: general and specific adaptive capacity of the genotype (GACi and SACi); relative stability (Sgi); coefficient of ecological plasticity (bi); breeding value of the genotype (BVGi). Results. According to the results of research in 2015–2017 for the agro-climatic zone of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine promising varieties as valuable genetic sources for adaptive selection of radish Raphanus sativus L. Among the analyzed varieties were selected 2 samples Lʹodyana burulʹka and Bila tsylindrychna indicators of adaptive potential and higher indicators of «total yield» (Xmed = 21,03–22,10 t/ha, SCG = 12,93–19,31) and vitamin C content in roots (Xmed = 22,47–25,43 mg/100 g, SCGi = 18,26–20,20). Another variety Ilka had a high adaptive potential and the level of manifestation in terms of «total root yield» (Xmed = 22,10 t/ha, SCGi = 11,83). There were 2 samples of 18 dney and Lʹodyana burulʹka, which showed a low dependence on environmental conditions (bi<1) and are valuable genetic sources for adaptive selection. According to the indicator "vitamin C content" in root crops, 5 samples were isolated that had better adaptive characteristics than the standard ruby Rubin: Duet (Xmed = 26,20 mg/100 g, SCGi = 20,76), Bohynya (Xmed = 22,77 mg/100 g, SCGi = 20,63), Snyezhka (Xmed = 23,29 mg/100 g, SCGi = 18,84), Bila (Xmed = 23,30 mg/100 g, SCGi = 18,57) ), Frenchpop (Xmed = 26,27 mg/100 g, SCGi = 20,85). Stable sources on the basis of "vitamin C content" in roots (bi<1) were samples: Duet), Bohynya, Bila, Bila tsylindrychna. Conclusions. There are two high-yielding varieties of sowing radish Lʹodyana burulʹka and Bila tsylindrychna, which in terms of the manifestation of the signs of "total root yield" and "vitamin C content in roots" exceeded the standard standard Ruby. in terms of adaptive potential. Key words: radish, yield, genotype, biochemical composition, adaptive ability.

Celeriac (Apium graveolens L., Apiaceae), originating from the Mediterranean basin, is a two-yearold species grown worldwide. The article presents the content of chlorophylls a and b, β-carotene and anthocyanin in various celery root varieties, and an assessment of their resistance to septoriosis and the yield of root crops. The studies were carried out on the basis of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Growing, a branch of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (Moscow Region, Ramensky District) in 2014-2016. The total content of anthocyanins in the leaves in varieties with anthocyanin coloring on the leaf stem is on average 1.32 mg / 100 g, in the varieties with a green stem, 0.90 mg / 100 g, β-carotene – 1.82 and 1.67 mg / 100 g, chlorophyll a – 86.5 and 81.4 mg / 100 g, chlorophyll b – 43.1 and 44.9 mg / 100 g wet weight, respectively. Linear correlation analysis allowed to establish a reliable (at 5% significance level) positive relationship between the yield of root crops and the total content of anthocyanins in celery leaves (r = 0.53), the total content of anthocyanins and chlorophyll a in leaves (r = 0.55), a negative relationship between the degree of development septoria and root mass (r = -0.62), as well as the yield of root crops (r = -0.71), between the chlorophyll a content in the leaves and the degree of septoria development (r = -0.54). The revealed variability in chlorophyll, β-carotene, the total content of anthocyanins reflects genetic heterogeneity among the studied celery varieties and plant responses to the environment. For breeding for resistance to septoria and crop yields of root crops, varieties of celeriac Kornevoy Gribovskiy, Maxim, Kupidon were selected.

Root and tuber crops consisting of cassava, sweet potato, potato, taro and others root and tubers have the important roles as the source of food, nutrition and cash income for many farmers in Indonesia. These crops also as a source of carbohydrates beside rice, corn, cereals, wheat etc. Root and tuber crops are the second most important group of crop plants after the cereals. The government of Indonesia accelerate food diversification based on local food resources, especially facing the climate change. The objective of this study was to estimate the role of root and tuber crops on food diversification and to estimate the household root and tuber crops demand in East Java Indonesia. The research used SUSENAS (Indonesian National Socio-Economic Survey) 2020 data with 31.990 household respondents in East Java Indonesia. Demand for food was estimated by AIDS (Almost Ideal Demand System) model. The results show that the average consumption for root and tuber crops was 0,69 kg/household/week (11,23% from carbohydrates foods), whereas rice consumption amount 4,86 kg/household/week (79,68 %), maize amount 0,25 kg/household/week (4,13%) and cereals amount 0,3 kg/household/week (4,96%). The expenditure elasticity of root and tuber crops was 1,36, while the expenditure elasticity of rice amount 0,78 (normal food), maize (1,41) and cereals (1,27). The expenditure elasticity more than 1 means that root and tuber crops as a superior food, also for maize and cereals. People no longer considers that root and tuber crops to be an inferior food. The root and tuber crops consumptions have the highest proportion after rice. It can be mean that root and tuber crops have the important role on food diversification in East Java Indonesia. Facing the climate change, root and tuber crops development be a right decision, moreover, root and tuber crops can be planted on dry land which is still widely available in Indonesia.

Information about root distribution is important for characterization and modeling of water and nutrient uptake, biomass, and yield. Due to the heterogeneous distribution of roots in row crops, the reliability and representativeness of estimates of RL and root morphology using core sampling depend on the number of samples and their location. The objectives of this study were to evaluate errors when assessing RLD and root morphology from auger core sampling schemes, to estimate 2D distributions of RLD by auger core sampling, and to assess the number of samples necessary for representative estimates of RLD and RD classes. The reference dataset utilized in this study is based on completely sampled 3D soil monoliths under maize, taken at three different dates (55, 78, and 104 days after planting) and two different row spacings (75 and 37.5 cm). A hypothetical auger core sampling scheme with one core within the row and another midway between rows mostly overpredicted total RLD. Bias was lower when using an 1:3 weighting scheme. Estimation of 2D vertical RLD distribution by calculating the ratio of RLD in the plant row to RLD midway between rows yielded reasonable estimates only when the average of eight cores was used. An assessment of the proportions of RD classes yielded high bias values, even when using the average of eight cores. An analysis of sampling errors using successively more cores revealed that for total RLD, to attain a bias <20%, more than ten samples would be necessary. This suggests that the number of core samples taken in many root studies could be too low. This bias was even higher when taking core samples for estimation of proportions of RD classes, where a reasonably low bias between estimated and “true” values could not be attained in this study even with ten core samples. Consequently, when taking samples for measurement of root morphological parameters, more detailed and site-adapted sampling schemes have to be devised. For estimating total averaged RLD, two core samples (within-row and midway between rows) could be sufficient when using a 1:3 weighting scheme for calculating the average RLD. When samples are taken in a more random manner and no weighting is applied, the necessary number of samples would be at least ten.

Purpose. To reveal the peculiarities of yield formation and processability of sugar beet roots in the conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine through optimizing the cultivation technology.&#x0D; Methods. The field experiment was conducted in the years 2020–2021 in the conditions of Chkalov Agrocompany LLC (Kirovohrad region). A drought-resistant diploid sugar beet hybrid ‘Magister’ (SESVanderHave) was grown against the background of the application of a moisture retainer (without hydrogel and hydrogel Aquasorb, 300 kg/ha) and different fertilization systems [without fertilizers – control; manure, 20 t/ha; N170P180K350; Leonardyt, 400 kg/ha; Parostok-20, 400 kg/ha]. Organic and mineral fertilizers (PK) were applied in autumn under plowing, while nitrogen component was applied under early spring cultivation. The adsorbent was applied to the soil two weeks before sowing the crop locally in the zone of the row to be, based on the data of the GPS tracker. The rest of the agricultural activities carried out were generally accepted components of cultivation technology in the research area.&#x0D; Results. As a result of rather difficult weather conditions in 2020, the yield of root crops was only 30.3 t/ha on average in the experiment. The lowest level yield (26.0 t/ha) was obtained in the plots of both controls without fertilizer, while the application of 20 t/ha of manure yielded 29.0–30.0 t/ha. The mineral system (N170P180K350), despite its significantly lower efficiency in the treatment without Aquasorb hydrogel (31.0 t/ha), when it was applied to the soil before sowing the crop, ensured the maximum productivity of sugar beets – 34.0 t/ha. In addition, against the background of the hydrogel, the effectiveness of Leonardyt and Parostok-20 increased significantly – yield increases by 7.0 and 6.0 t/ha, respectively. The maximum content of sugars in roots was noted under the mineral fertilization system against the background of Aquasorb hydrogel – 16.3 against 15.0% in the control. However, in the same treatment, the highest content of α-amine nitrogen was also obtained, which significantly reduces the yield of sugar at the factory. In 2021, due to favorable weather conditions during the crop vegetation, the yield of root crops was 55.6 t/ha on average in the experiment, which is almost twice as high as the previous year. As predicted, the lowest yield was obtained in the treatments without fertilizers – 49.7–50.2 t/ha, with manure application – 50.7–53.3 t/ha. Significantly higher, however, unlike in 2020, the indicators for the mineral fertilizer system were 56.9–58.1 t/ha. The most effective from the point of view of the formation of sugar beet productivity were Leonardyt and Parostok-20 yielding 58.1–58.6 and 59.2–61.6 t/ha, respectively. The maximum sugar content of roots was ensured by the use of Parostok-20 fertilizer, both on the background of Aquasorb hydrogel and without it (17.8% compared to control 15.8%).&#x0D; Conclusions. Weather conditions during the vegetation of sugar beets are the most significant factor that determines the level of their productivity, as well as the effectiveness of applied agricultural measures. In all treatments with fertilizers, a significant increase in crop yield was observed, and the amount of the obtained increments largely depended on both their type and the use of hydrogel, especially under unfavorable growing conditions. On average, during the research period, the highest indicators of sugar yield were obtained in the treatment with the use of organic fertilizers of the new formulation Leonardyt and Parostok-20 on the background of Aquasorb hydrogel, which indicates the feasibility of their further implementation in the cultivation technology for sugar beet.

Plants are immobile organisms that require roots to efficiently and cost-effectively exploit their habitat for water and nutrients. Plant root systems are dynamic structures capable of altering root branching, root angle, and root growth rates determining overall architecture. This plasticity involves belowground plant-root mediated synergies coupled through a continuum of environmental interactions and endogenous developmental processes facilitating plants to adapt to favorable or adverse soil conditions. Plant root branching is paramount to ensure adequate access to soil water and nutrients. Although substantial resources have been devoted toward this goal, significant knowledge gaps exist. In well-studied systems such as rice and maize, it has become evident that root branching plays a significant role in the acquisition of nutrients and other soil-based resources. In these crop species, specific root branching traits that confer enhanced nutrient acquisition are well-characterized and are already being incorporated into breeding populations. In contrast, the understanding of root branching in root and tuber crop productivity has lagged behind. In this review article, we highlight what is known about root branching in root and tuber crops (RTCs) and mark new research directions, such as the use novel phenotyping methods, examining the changes in root morphology and anatomy under nutrient stress, and germplasm screening with enhanced root architecture for more efficient nutrient capture. These directions will permit a better understanding of the interaction between root branching and nutrient acquisition in these globally important crop species.

Soil is a key foundation of crop root growth. There are interactions between root system and soil in multiple ways. The present study aimed to further explore the response of root distribution and morphology to soil physical and chemical environment under maize (Zea mays L.) soybean (Glycine Max L. Merr.) relay strip intercropping (MS) An experiment was carried out aiming to examine the effects of nitrogen (N) applications and interspecific distances on root system and soil environment in MS. The two N application levels, referred to as no N application (NN) and conventional N application (CN), were paired with different interspecific distances: 30, 45 and 60 cm (MS30, MS45 and MS60) and 100 cm of monoculture maize and soybean (MM/SS100). The results demonstrated that MS45 increased the distribution of soil aggregates (> 2 mm) near the crop roots and maize soil nutrients status, which increased by 20.3% and 15.6%. Meanwhile, MS reduced soil bulk density, increased soil porosity and improved soil oxygen content. Optimization of the soil environment facilitated root growth. The MS45 achieved a better result on root distribution and morphology than the other configuration and also increased land productivity. Relay intercropped soybean with maize in interspecific row spacing of 45 cm, improved soil physicochemical environment, reshaped root architecture and optimized root spatial distribution of crops to achieve greater land productivity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.