Yield and Quality of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris ssp. esculenta L. ) as a Result of Microbial Fertilizers

Abstract

Summary The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of two different types of microbial fertilizers, namely Micro-Vita I (containing several groups of Azotobacter, nitrifying microorganisms and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms) and Micro-Vita II (containing Azotobacter, nitrifying microorganisms, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and iron), on the yield and quality of beetroot (Beta vulgaris ssp. esculenta, cv Kestrel). Beetroots grown in the field without using microbial fertilizers served as the experimental control. The experiments were conducted in a field located in the village of Jurumleri, near Skopje, characterized by a well-drained and sandy soil, in 2013. The purpose of the study is to determine how different microbial fertilizers influence the production and quality of beetroot. The yields obtained were significantly higher in the beetroot grown using Micro-Vita II (69.43 t ha−1) and Micro-Vita I (58.13 t·ha−1) fertilizers, compared to the control yield (54.8 t/ha). The beetroot grown under the Micro-Vita I regime indicated significantly higher contents of vitamin C (6.86%), cellulose (13.79%) and protein (18.18%) compared to the control crops. Furthermore, the beetroot grown under the Micro-Vita II regime indicated significantly higher contents of vitamin C (14.71%), cellulose (27.59%), protein (44.62%), minerals (6.25%) and Fe (100%) compared to the control crops. According to the results obtained, the application of microbiological fertilizers is recommended for beetroot (cv. Kestrel), with regard to the beetroot quality and bioactive compounds, and can be used in organic farming.