Study the Losses in Sugar Beet Roots After Harvesting and Reducing it by using Different Storage Methods, Covering and Spraying Treatments during Storage Periods

Abstract

A research experiment was conducted after sugar beet harvesting season of 2018/2019 to study the losses in sugar beet roots and reducing it by using different storage methods (shadow and sun light), covering (without, rice straw, sugar beet foliages and net) and spraying treatments (without, tap water and Mepiquat chloride at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 cm/L) during storage periods (one, two, three and four weeks) under environmental conditions of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The experiment was carried out in factorial experiment in randomized complete blocks design with three replicates. The highest values of root fresh weight/plant, root length and diameter and infestation percentage and lowest root weight loss percentage were recorded when stored under shading. The highest values of root fresh weight/plant, root length and diameter and lowest root weight loss percentages were recorded when covering root piles with sugar beet foliages, followed by covering with rice straw. The highest values of root fresh weight/plant, root length and diameter and lowest root weight loss percentages and infestation percentages of sugar beet roots were recorded when spraying piles of sugar beet roots with Mepiquat chloride at 1.0 cm/L. It can be concluded that stored sugar beet roots after harvesting directly in piles under shading and covering with beet foliages and spraying piles with Mepiquat chloride at 1.0 cm/L to reduce losses in sugar beet roots after harvesting and during storage and achieve high apparent characters of roots under the environmental conditions of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt