The response of sugar beet to different irrigation levels and foliar application of micronutrients under drip irrigation system

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the response of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. esperanza to different water levels and foliar application of micronutrients in 2016. Three irrigation regimes were applied; well watered (D1.00), moderate stress (D0.66), and severe stress (D0.33). In each irrigation treatment, there were two different applications as being foliar application of mixed micronutrients and not. The degree of water deficit had significant effects on the growth, root and sugar yield. Decreasing amount of water from D1.00 treatment to D0.33 treatment restricted sugar beet development, and caused plants to be small. The amount of irrigation water and evapotranspiration in the full irrigation treatment were 867 mm and 894 mm, respectively. Therefore, compensating full water requirement and foliar application of micronutrients had a significant effect on the root (13 899 kg da-1) and sugar yield (2 246 kg da-1). It is concluded that full water requirement of sugar beet should be met throughout the entire growing season, but if water scarcity exists water may be saved just only in the ripening period to get an economical yield since during the establishment and vegetative periods of sugar beet was more sensitive to limited water supply.