Beet Shoot Research Articles

Potential Risk of Residues From Neonicotinoid-Treated Sugar Beet Flowering Weeds to Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.).

In 2018 the European Union (EU) banned the three neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid, clothianidin (CLO), and thiamethoxam (TMX), but they can still be used if an EU Member State issues an emergency approval. Such an approval went into effect in 2021 for TMX-coated sugar beet seeds in Germany. Usually, this crop is harvested before flowering without exposing non-target organisms to the active ingredient or its metabolites. In addition to the approval, strict mitigation measures were imposed by the EU and the German federal states. One of the measures was to monitor the drilling of sugar beet and its impact on the environment. Hence we took residue samples from different bee and plant matrices and at different dates to fully map beet growth in the German states of Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. A total of four treated and three untreated plots were surveyed, resulting in 189 samples. Residue data were evaluated using the US Environmental Protection Agency BeeREX model to assess acute and chronic risk to honey bees from the samples, because oral toxicity data are widely available for both TMX and CLO. Within treated plots, we found no residues either in pools of nectar and honey crop samples (n = 24) or dead bee samples (n = 21). Although 13% of beebread and pollen samples and 88% of weed and sugar beet shoot samples were positive, the BeeREX model found no evidence of acute or chronic risk. We also detected neonicotinoid residues in the nesting material of the solitary bee Osmia bicornis, probably from contaminated soil of a treated plot. All control plots were free of residues. Currently, there are insufficient data on wild bee species to allow for an individual risk assessment. In terms of the future use of these highly potent insecticides, therefore, it must be ensured that all regulatory requirements are complied with to mitigate any unintentional exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;00:1-11. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Expression of apple MdMYB10 transcription factor in sugar beet with a screenable marker role and antimicrobial activity.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03120-7.

Sugar Beet Shoot and Root Phenotypic Plasticity to Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Lime Omission

In low input agriculture, a thorough understanding of the plant-nutrient interactions plays a central role. This study aims to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and liming omission on shoot growth as well as on topsoil root biomass, growth and morphology (tuber and fibrous roots) of sugar beet grown under field conditions at the Dikopshof long-term fertilizer experiment (Germany). Classical shoot observation methods were combined with root morphology and link measurements using an image analysis program. Omission of the nutrients N, P and K as well as of liming led to a significant decrease in shoot growth. Tuber yield was lowest for the unfertilized and the K omission treatment. The root shoot ratio was highest in the N deficient treatment. In the K omission treatment, a strategic change from a less herringbone root type (early stage) to a more herringbone root type (late stage), which is more efficient for the acquisition of mobile nutrients, was observed. By contrast, a change from a more herringbone (early stage) to a less herringbone root type (late stage) which is less expensive to produce and maintain was observed in the unfertilized treatment. We conclude that sugar beet alters its root morphology as a nutrient acquisition strategy.

Effect of Sulphur Application and some Foliar Feeding on Productivity and Roots Quality of Sugar Beet

A field experiment was conducted at El-Gemmeiza Agric. Res. Station, Gharbeya Governorate, Egypt during the two successive winter seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019, to study the effect of sulphur ( 0, 40 and 80 kg/fad.) and three foliar spray treatments (mixture of FeSO­4 20%+MnSO43H2O 23%+ZnSO47H2O 23% +B as boric acid 17%) at 1%, blue green algae extract at 1 liter /fad. and yeast extract at 100 ml/liter water on growth , yield and root quality of sugar beet (cv Oskar poly) grown in a clay soil conditions. These treatments were arranged in a split plot in a complete block design with three replications. Sulphuer levels were randomly distributed in the main plots , while foliar spray treatments were randomly arranged in the sub plots. The interaction between sulphur at 80 kg/fad. and spraying with blue green algae extract at 1 liter / fad. gave the highest values of sugar beet shoots, roots and its components. While , the interaction between sulphur at 80 kg/fad. and spraying with the mixture of Fe+Zn+Mn+B at 1 % recorded maximum values of Fe, Zn, Mn and B in leaf tissues and roots. The increases in yield of sugar were about 32.8 and 56.3 % for the interaction between 80 kg S/fad. and spraying with blue green algae, 24.9 and 42.7 % for the interaction between 80 kg S/fad. and spraying with mixture of Fe+Zn+Mn+B over the interaction between 0 S and spraying with yeast extract in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively.

OPTIMIZATION OF PARAMETERS OF WORKING BODIES OF MACHINES FOR SUGAR BEET PRODUCTION

Existing technologies and modern technical means do not always provide the required quality of technological processes for growing sugar beets. Increasing requirements necessitate continuous improvement of existing and creation of new high-performance machines and units to ensure high-quality production technologies of sugar beet crops. Improved technological processes for the production of sugar beet crops are described in the article. Such technological processes include: loosening the compacted topsoil and destruction of the soil crust before the emergence of sugar beet shoots, loosening the soil after emergence, feeding sugar beets with increased soil hardness and low moisture content, inter-row soil cultivation with hilling plants in lines. As a result of research of technologies for inter-row processing of sugar beets in the system of crop care, the following ratio was established: the optimal depth and width of the strips for cutting the top layer of the soil, depending on the depth of placement of the sown seeds; the distance between the ribs of the roller, depending on the depth of cutting the soil; the maximum depth of soil loosening in the row zone and the row spacing zone, depending on the depth of sowing seeds and the placement of the root system of beets; the required depth of soil loosening in the aisles, depending on the specified optimal depth of application of mineral fertilizers in the aisles; the required distance from the conditional centerline of the beet rows to the zone of mineral fertilization in the aisles, etc. The use of optimized technological processes makes it possible to create the necessary conditions for the growth and development of sugar beet plants on heavy-textured soils and after a significant amount of precipitation and an increase in soil density. In addition, the proposed innovative technologies ensure the preservation and even increase of soil moisture, reduction of sparseness and contamination of crops, as well as losses and damage to sugar beet roots during harvesting. The research results can be used to improve and optimize zonal technologies and technical means for growing sugar beets in conditions of high density and insufficient soil moisture, as well as in the educational process in the preparation of future specialists from agricultural engineering for scientific project activities.

Boron stress inhibits beet (Beta vulgaris L.) growth through influencing endogenous hormones and oxidative stress response

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pleiotropic effects of boron stress on beet (Beta vulgaris L.) growth. Methods: Beet seedlings were treated with varying concentrations of H3BO3 (0.05, 0.5, 2, and 30 mg/L) for 30 d for evaluation of diverse morphological parameters related to shoot and root growth. Transverse sections of beet leaves were observed under a microscope, and the leaf thickness was measured. Photosynthesis in beet was evaluated by measuring the photosynthetic rate, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and chlorophyll content; chloroplast morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the levels of diverse endogenous hormones, as well as oxidative stress parameters, were also analyzed in beet leaves. Results: We found that boron accumulated in different beet tissues but was observed mainly in mature leaves, followed by young leaves, mature petioles, young petioles, and roots. Boron stress (boron toxicity, 30 mg/L; boron deficiency, 0.05 mg/L) significantly inhibited beet shoot, root growth, and leaf expansion while promoting leaf thickening. Additionally, the levels of indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellin A3, and zeatin in beet leaves decreased significantly under boron stress, whereas the level of abscisic acid increased. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde, and proline in beet leaves increased significantly under boron stress. Conclusion: Together, our results indicate that boron stress significantly inhibited normal beet growth via the influence of endogenous hormone levels and oxidative stress responses.

Relationship of soil properties to pyroxasulfone bioactivity in a range of prairie soils

ABSTRACTThe relationship between pyroxasulfone bioactivity and soil properties has not been investigated in a wide range of soils typical of western Canada. In this study, 47 soils from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, with varying organic matter content (1.5%–22.1%), pH (5.0–7.9), and clay content (6.8%–59.4%) were used to evaluate the effect of soil properties on pyroxasulfone bioactivity and its relevance to field application rates. Bioactivity was assessed by measuring the reduction of sugar beet shoot length after 7 days in response to 0, 92, 184, and 368 µg ai kg−1 pyroxasulfone concentration in soil. Multiple regression analysis showed that pyroxasulfone bioactivity was related to soil organic matter content, pH and clay content. Grouping the soils according to these properties allowed for a summarization of pyroxasulfone field application rates required to achieve bioactivity based on the magnitude of sugar beet shoot length inhibition (%). The estimated field application rates ranged from less than 120–480 g ai ha−1.

Sugar beet (Beta vulgarisL.) response to diammonium phosphate and potassium sulphate under saline–sodic conditions

AbstractSalinity and sodicity are prime threats to land resources resulting in huge economic and associated social consequences in several countries. Nutrient deficiencies reduce crop productivity in salt‐affected regions. Soil fertility has not been sustainably managed in salt‐affected arid regions. Few researchers investigated the crop responses to phosphorus and potassium interactions especially in saline–sodic soils. A research study was carried out to explore the effect of diammonium phosphorus (DAP) and potassium sulphate (K2SO4) on sugar beet (Beta vulgarisL.) grown in a saline–sodic field located inKohat district ofPakistan. The crop was irrigated with ground water withECiwvalue of 2.17–3.0 dS/m. Three levels each of K2O (0, 75 and 150 kg/ha) as K2SO4and P2O5(0, 60 and 120 kg/ha) as DAP were applied. The application of P significantly affected fresh beet and shoot yield while K fertilizers had significant effect on fresh beet yield and ratio of beet:shoot, while non‐significant effects on the fresh shoot were observed. The application of K1and K2promoted sugar beet shoot yield by 49.2 and 49.2% at P1and 64.4 and 59.7% at P2, respectively over controls. In comparison with controls, fresh beet yield was increased (%) by 15 and 51, 45 and 84, and 50 and 58 for corresponding K1and K2at P0, P1and P2, respectively. Addition of P1and P2increased beet yield by 37 and 47% over control. The shoot [P] (mmol/kg) were achieved as 55.2, 73.6 and 84.3 at P0, P1and P2, respectively. The shoot [Mg] and [SO4] tended to decrease with increasing P levels, while [SO4] was markedly reduced at P2. The effect of P on leaf [Na] was non‐significant, but increasing levels of K decreased [Na] substantially at P0and P1, but there was no difference in the effect of K level on [Na] at P2. Consequently, K application reduced leaf Na:K ratios. Fresh shoot yield was weakly associated with leaf [P] (R2 = 0.53). The leaf Na:K ratio showed a negative relationship (R2 = 0.90) with leaf [K]. A strongly positive relationship (R2 = 0.75) was observed between leaf [K] and fresh beet yield. The addition of K2SO4also enhanced [SO4] and SO4:P ratios in leaf tissues. The ratio of Na:K in the shoot decreased with increasing K application. These results demonstrated that interactions of K and P could mitigate the adverse effects of salinity and sodicity in soils. This would contribute to the efficient management of soil fertility system in arid‐climate agriculture.

Antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde, and total phenolic content of PEG-induced hyperhydric leaves in sugar beet tissue culture

Hyperhydricity is a physiological abnormality that frequently affects shoots that are vegetatively propagated in vitro. In this study, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Felicita) shoot tip explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. We observed that higher concentrations of PEG 6000 and longer exposure (up to 4 wk) resulted in increasing levels of hyperhydration as well as browning and/or blackening of tissues in culture. A comparison of hyperhydric shoots with controls on the 28th day showed a marked increase in the content of water, phenolics, and malondialdehyde (MDA), which was positively correlated with an increase in the accumulation of PEG 6000. Selected antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) also increased in hyperhydric shoots, especially at lower concentrations of PEG 6000. Regression analysis indicated that strong linear relationships exist between SOD–APX (R 2 = 0.932), SOD–CAT (R 2 = 0.753), SOD–total phenolic content (R 2 = 0.966), APX–PPO (R 2 = 0.842), APX–total phenolic content (R 2 = 0.904), POX–CAT (R 2 = 0.751), and CAT–total phenolic content (R 2 = 0.806). Despite the correlation between different antioxidant enzymes and between the antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant compounds, was not able to prevent ROS damage in hyperhydric shoots. The negative correlation between SOD–MDA, POX–MDA, CAT–MDA, and MDA–total phenolics also indicated an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities, yet the increase in these antioxidant compound contents did not prevent lipid peroxidation of in vitro propagated beet shoots.

In vitro effect of different Na+/K+ ratios on plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity in maize and sugar beet shoot

Plant growth is impaired primarily by osmotic stress in the first phase of salt stress, whereas Na+ toxicity affects the plant growth mainly in the second phase. Salinity leads to increased Na+/K+ ratio and thus displacement of K+ by Na+ in the plant cell. Relatively higher cytosolic Na+ concentrations may have an effect on the activity of plasma membrane (PM) H+ -ATPase. A decreased PM-H+ -ATPase activity could increase the apoplastic pH. This process could limit the cell-wall extensibility and thus reduce growth according to the acid growth theory. To compare the effect of Na+ on PM H+ -ATPase activity in salt-sensitive maize (Zea mays L.) and salt-resistant sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) shoot, PM vesicles were isolated from growing shoots of both species and ATPase activity was determined by assaying the P(i) released by hydrolysis of ATP. The H+ pumping activity was measured as the quenching of acridine-orange absorbance. An increased Na+/K+ ratio decreased the PM H+ -ATPase activity in vesicles of maize as well as of sugar beet shoots. Nevertheless, the detrimental effect of increased Na+/K+ ratio was more severe in salt-sensitive maize compared to salt-resistant sugar beet. At 25 mM Na+ concentration, hydrolytic activity was not affected in sugar beet. However, a significant decrease in hydrolytic activity was observed in maize at pH 7. In maize and sugar beet, reduction in active H+ flux was 20% and 5% at 25 mM Na+ concentration in the assay, respectively. The active H+ flux was decreased to 80% and 60%, when 100 mM K+ were substituted by 100mM Na+. We conclude that PM H+ -ATPases of salt-resistant sugar beet and maize shoot are sensitive to higher concentration of Na+. However, sugar beet PM-H+ -ATPases are relatively efficient and may have constitutive resistance against lower concentration (25 mM) of Na+ as compared to that of salt-sensitive maize.

Hydrolytic and pumping activity of H +-ATPase from leaves of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) as affected by salt stress

Cell wall extensibility plays an important role in plant growth. According to the acid-growth theory, lower apoplastic pH allows extension growth by affecting cell wall extensibility. A lowered apoplastic pH is presumed to activate wall-loosening enzymes that control plant growth. Plasma membrane (PM) H +-ATPases play a major role in the apoplastic acidification by H + transport from cytosol to the apoplast. A salt-induced decrease in H +-pumping activity of plasma membrane H +-ATPases in salt-sensitive maize plants has previously been found. This led us to formulate the hypothesis that salt-resistant plant species such as sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) may have a mechanism to eliminate the effect of higher salt concentrations on plasma membrane H +-ATPase activity. In the present study, sugar beet plants were grown in 1 mM NaCl (control) or 150 mM NaCl in hydroponics. H +-ATPase hydrolytic and pumping activities were measured in plasma membrane vesicles isolated from sugar beet shoots. We found that plasma membrane H +-ATPase hydrolytic and pumping activities were not affected by application of 150 mM NaCl. Moreover, apoplastic pH was also not affected under salt stress. However, a decrease in plant growth was observed. We assume that growth reduction was not due to a decrease in PM-H +-ATPase activity, but that other factors may be responsible for growth inhibition of sugar beet plants under salt stress.

Cryopreservation of in vitro sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) shoot tips by a vitrification technique.

Sugar beet shoot tips from cold-acclimated plants were successfully cryopreserved using a vitrification technique. Dissected shoot tips were precultured for 1 day at 5 °C on solidified DGJ0 medium with 0.3 M sucrose. After loading for 20 min with a mixture of 2 M glycerol and 0.4 M sucrose (20 °C), shoot tips were dehydrated with PVS2 (0 °C) for 20 min prior to immersion in liquid nitrogen. Both cold acclimation and loading enhanced the dehydration tolerance of shoot tips to PVS2. After thawing, shoot tips were deloaded for 15 min in liquid DGJ0 medium with 1.2 M sucrose (20 °C). The optimal exposure time to both loading solution and PVS2 depended on the in vitro morphology of the clone. With tetraploid clones a higher sucrose concentration during cold acclimation and preculture further enhanced survival after cryopreservation. Survival rates ranged between 60% and 100% depending on the clone. Since only 10-50% of the surviving shoot tips developed into non-hyperhydric shoots, regrowth was optimized.

Changes in sugar content and fatty acid composition of in vitro sugar beet shoots after cold acclimation : influence on survival after cryopreservation

To cryopreserve sugar beet shoot tips using an encapsulation-dehydration technique, cold hardening of in vitro plants was needed to obtain high survival rates after freezing. Cold acclimation not only enhanced dehydration and freezing tolerance, but also induced several changes in sugar beet shoots. Plants contained greater amounts of sucrose, D-glucose and D-fructose and the fatty acid composition of lipids changed. Furthermore, the unsaturation level of membrane lipids, estimated by the (C18:2 + C18:1)/C16:0 ratio, increased after cold hardening. These changes were correlated with better survival rates after cryopreservation.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Genetic transformation of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cv Bella (2n = 3x = 27) cv Dipple Ero (2n = 2x = 18) and accession SVP31-188 (2n = 2x = 18) was investigated by Infecting in vitro-derived shoot base segments with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 carrying either pBin 19 or pSI 121 plasmid. MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg.l-1 naphthalene acetic acid, 0.25 mg.l-1 6-benzylaminopurine and 100 βg.ml-l kanamycin were effective for the production of callus and shoots from Agrobacterium Infected explants irrespective of the method of infection. Most of pSin 19- and all of pSI 121-medlated transformants failed to root on selective rooting media. Only 11.1% of pSin 19-mediated Sella transformants rooted on media containing 0.5 mg.l-1 kinetin and 100 βg.ml-1 kanamycin and all of them were the product of co-cultivation In the presence of acetosyringone. In the case of pSI 121-mediated transformants as many as 40–50 copies of the GUS gene was determined to be integrated with tandem repeats into at least six different sites of cv Sella genome. Fluorometrlc assay also demonstrated the transformed nature of a number of sugar beet shoots.

The effect of photon flux density on distribution of assimilate between shoot and storage root of carrot, red beet and radish

Growth and 14C distribution were measured in carrot, red beet and radish exposed to different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) in controlled environments to permit a comparison with their responses to varying plant density. Growth studies revealed that red beet maintains its leaf area, shoot fresh and dry weights at a range of PPFD while its storage organ weight is markedly reduced as PPFD decreases. Experiments with 14C showed that the beet shoot apex was a strong sink for assimilates and mobilised 14C at the expense of the storage root. In carrot, leaf area and shoot fresh weight were also maintained across a range of PPFD, though shoot and storage root dry matter were reduced at lower PPFD. The distribution of 14C suggested that in carrot there was a tendency to mobilise 14C to the apex at the expense of the leaf lamina at lower PPFD. In radish, leaf area and the fresh and dry weights of both shoot and storage organ decreased as PPFD decreased, but with the storage organ affected to a greater extent. The tendency in red beet and radish to mobilise assimilate to the shoot at the expense of the storage organs at lower PPFD (in contrast to carrot) is consistent with the response of these species to increasing density.