Sugar Beet Roots Research Articles

Features of formation of productivity of sugar beets hybrids of domestic breeding

Purpose. To reveal features of formation of productivity of modern sugar beet hybrids of domestic selection.Methods. Field, laboratory.Results. Studies show that the lowest yields of sugar beets were obtained in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Moreover, the conditions of the unstable humidification zone of the Right-Bank part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine were mainly characterized by unstable precipitation, a decrease in their amount, as well as increased average daily air temperatures. Therefore, the selection of high-yielding hybrids of sugar beets to obtain a high level of productivity is relevant. As evidenced by the data comparing the yield of sugar beet root crops on the test site, they significantly exceeded the average indicators for Kiev region by 10.7–20.0 t/ha, and only in arid 2016 the difference was minimal – 4.6 t/ha. The high stability of the trait “sugar content in root crops” is inherent not only in hybrids with low parameters of its manifestation, but is largely determined by the genetic characteristics of the hybrid. Three clusters were identified based on the reaction of hybrids to growing conditions. The first cluster included triploid hybrids: ‘Zluka’, ‘Oleksandriia, ‘Olzhych’, ‘Kvarta’ and ‘Konstanta’, the second one – the triploid hybrid ‘BTs ChS 57’ and diploid ‘Vesto’, the third cluster - the triploid hybrid ‘Sofiia’ and diploid ‘Ukrainskyi ChS 72’.Conclusions. Proper selection of high-yielding hybrids resistant to adverse growing conditions in the zone of unstable moisture of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine is extremely important, because the biological characteristics of hybrids affect 45% of the amount of sugar harvest, but the growing season by 33% and the interaction of factors was 17%. It was found that despite the difficult weather conditions, the highest yields were formed by hybrids: ‘Anichka’ – 70.1 t/ha, ‘Ramzes’ – 70.5 t/ha, ‘Romul’ – 73.0 t/ha and ‘BTs ChS 57’ – 73.4 t/ha. But the maximum sugar content in root crops was in hybrids: ‘Ukrainskyi ChS 72’ – 17.3%, ‘Zluka’ – 17.3% and ‘Sofiia’ – 17.7%. Accordingly, the maximum sugar harvest was provided by hybrids: ‘BTs ChS 57’ – 12.1 t/ha and ‘Romul’ – 12.2 t/ha.

Ascorbate Oxidase Induces Systemic Resistance in Sugar Beet Against Cyst Nematode Heterodera schachtii.

Ascorbate oxidase (AO) is an enzyme involved in catalyzing the oxidation of apoplastic ascorbic acid (AA) to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). In this research, the potential of AO spraying to induce systemic resistance was demonstrated in the interaction between sugar beet root and cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii and the mechanism was elucidated. Plant bioassays showed that roots of AO-sprayed plants were infested by a significantly lower number of females and cysts when compared with mock-sprayed control plants. Hormone measurements showed an elevated level of jasmonic acid (JA) salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (ET) in the roots of AO-sprayed plants, with a dynamic temporal pattern of activation. Experiments with chemical inhibitors showed that AO-induced systemic resistance is partially dependent on the JA, ET and SA pathways. Biochemical analyses revealed a primed accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity in the roots of AO-sprayed plants upon infection by cyst nematodes. In conclusion, our data shows that AO works as an effective systemic defense priming agent in sugar beet against cyst nematode infection, through activation of multiple basal plant defense pathways.

Morphological, phylogenetic, and pathogenic analyses of Fusarium andiyazi associated with sugar beet root diseases

Fusarium andiyazi isolates, EGF1 and EGF2, were recovered from sugar beets exhibiting wilting, chlorosis, and root rot. Morphological characteristics and sequencing of translation elongation factor-1α (TEF-1α), the ITS region of rDNA, and β-tubulin (TUB) wear combined to corroborate the identity of these isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial TEF gene revealed genetic variation among F. andiyazi isolates in three genetic clades. Both isolates infected seedlings of all sugar beet cultivars and caused varying degrees of wilting symptoms. 38-day-old sugar beet cultivars differed in their response to the isolates, being either susceptible (Kawemira) or resistant (Pleno). Both isolates induced symptoms of wilting and root rot in sorghum cultivars and caused bakanae in rice cultivars. Cultivars of sorghum (Dorado) and rice (Sakha 101) were susceptible to F. andiyazi infection. This is the first report of F. andiyazi, isolated from sugar beets, causing typical symptoms of seedling wilt and root rot.

Impact of Nano-Micronutrients as Foliar Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet Roots

Nanotechnology is one of the new technologies that entered almost all sides of our lives and were used in agriculture production. Nowadays, nanotechnology has expanded horizons in all fields of science. The study was aimed to investigate the response of yield and quality of sugar beet cv. Farida to foliar application of nano-microelements mixtures (Fe, Mn, Zn and B) with/without urea. Two field experiments were carried out in the experimental farm of the Etsa region in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during the two successive seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17). Fourteen treatments of four microelements as nano form sole and in combination with urea were applied and twelve traits were studied, growth traits, Juice quality traits and yield. showed that the best results were found when sugar beet plants were treated with nano-microelements 200 mg L-1+ urea 1% and was ranked as the first favorable treatments for root length and diameter, dry matter per plant as root, top and sugar yields in both seasons, followed by the treatment of Nano-microelements 160 mg L-1+urea 1% for most of the traits studied. From the obtained results, Conclusion: it could be concluded that the application of nano-microelements 200 mg L-1+urea 1% treatment for significantly produced higher yields associated with improving the quality traits of sugar beet and saving the plants' needs from micronutrient and nitrogen fertilizers if this fertilizer rate has been added in the form of nanoparticles.

Влияние схем посадки и неорганических удобрений на вынос элементов питания корнеплодов сахарной свеклы

The article presents the results of studies on the effect of planting schemes and inorganic fertilizers on the removal of nutrition elements in sugarbeet root crops in the conditions of the Ganja-Gazakh massif. The region is steadily developing in the agricultural sector of Azerbaijan. Analysis of the research results made it possible to establish the optimal planting scheme and inorganic fertilizers application, which contribute to an increase in nutrition elements in sugarbeet root crops. It was revealed that the optimal option is the use of inorganic fertilizers in the norm N90P120K90 (respectively: 90.20–125.42; 36.00–50.20 and 65.50–92.00 kg/ha).

Understanding the Impact of Cultivar, Seed Origin, and Substrate on Bacterial Diversity of the Sugar Beet Rhizosphere and Suppression of Soil-Borne Pathogens.

The rhizosphere microbiome is crucial for plant health, especially for preventing roots from being infected by soil-borne pathogens. Microbiota-mediated pathogen response in the soil-root interface may hold the key for microbiome-based control strategies of phytopathogens. We studied the pathosystem sugar beet—late sugar beet root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani in an integrative design of combining in vitro and in vivo (greenhouse and field) trials. We used five different cultivars originating from two propagation sites (France, Italy) with different degrees of susceptibility towards R. solani (two susceptible, one moderately tolerant and two cultivars with partial resistance). Analyzing bacterial communities in seeds and roots grown under different conditions by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we found site-, cultivar-, and microhabitat-specific amplicon sequences variants (ASV) as well as a seed core microbiome shared between all sugar beet cultivars (121 ASVs representing 80%–91% relative abundance). In general, cultivar-specific differences in the bacterial communities were more pronounced in seeds than in roots. Seeds of Rhizoctonia-tolerant cultivars contain a higher relative abundance of the genera Paenibacillus, Kosakonia, and Enterobacter, while Gaiellales, Rhizobiales, and Kosakonia were enhanced in responsive rhizospheres. These results indicate a correlation between bacterial seed endophytes and Rhizoctonia-tolerant cultivars. Root communities are mainly substrate-derived but also comprise taxa exclusively derived from seeds. Interestingly, the signature of Pseudomonas poae Re*1-1-14, a well-studied sugar-beet specific biocontrol agent, was frequently found and in higher relative abundances in Rhizoctonia-tolerant than in susceptible cultivars. For microbiome management, we introduced microbial inoculants (consortia) and microbiome transplants (vermicompost) in greenhouse and field trials; both can modulate the rhizosphere and mediate tolerance towards late sugar beet root rot. Both, seeds and soil, provide specific beneficial bacteria for rhizosphere assembly and microbiota-mediated pathogen tolerance. This can be translated into microbiome management strategies for plant and ecosystem health.

Co-Ensiling of Wheat Straw as an Alternative Pre-Treatment to Chemical, Hydrothermal and Mechanical Methods for Methane Production

Wheat straw without pre-treatment is only converted to methane to a low degree during anaerobic digestion for fuel production due to its low hydrolysis. Current pre-treatment technologies are challenged by high expenses to energy or chemical agents. We examined the low-tech co-ensiling pre-treatment as an alternative pre-treatment of wheat straw, and compared the results with hydrothermal, chemical and mechanical pre-treatment methods. The effects of co-ensiling duration and the mixing ratio between straw and sugar beet root on the methane yields, surface morphology and chemical composition were examined. It was found that co-ensiling could improve production of methane by 34.7%, while a combined hydrothermal and chemical pre-treatment could increase the production of methane by 25.4%. The study demonstrated that the effect of co-ensiling could overlap with hydrothermal and chemical pre-treatment by having similar effects to increase lignocellulosic hydrolysis and improve methane production.

Integrative transcriptomics reveals genotypic impact on sugar beet storability

Key messageAn integrative comparative transcriptomic approach on six sugar beet varieties showing different amount of sucrose loss during storage revealed genotype-specific main driver genes and pathways characterizing storability.Sugar beet is next to sugar cane one of the most important sugar crops accounting for about 15% of the sucrose produced worldwide. Since its processing is increasingly centralized, storage of beet roots over an extended time has become necessary. Sucrose loss during storage is a major concern for the sugar industry because the accumulation of invert sugar and byproducts severely affect sucrose manufacturing. This loss is mainly due to ongoing respiration, but changes in cell wall composition and pathogen infestation also contribute. While some varieties can cope better during storage, the underlying molecular mechanisms are currently undiscovered. We applied integrative transcriptomics on six varieties exhibiting different levels of sucrose loss during storage. Already prior to storage, well storable varieties were characterized by a higher number of parenchyma cells, a smaller cell area, and a thinner periderm. Supporting these findings, transcriptomics identified changes in genes involved in cell wall modifications. After 13 weeks of storage, over 900 differentially expressed genes were detected between well and badly storable varieties, mainly in the category of defense response but also in carbohydrate metabolism and the phenylpropanoid pathway. These findings were confirmed by gene co-expression network analysis where hub genes were identified as main drivers of invert sugar accumulation and sucrose loss. Our data provide insight into transcriptional changes in sugar beet roots during storage resulting in the characterization of key pathways and hub genes that might be further used as markers to improve pathogen resistance and storage properties.

Statistical shape analysis of tap roots: a methodological case study on laser scanned sugar beets

BackgroundThe efficient and robust statistical analysis of the shape of plant organs of different cultivars is an important investigation issue in plant breeding and enables a robust cultivar description within the breeding progress. Laserscanning is a highly accurate and high resolution technique to acquire the 3D shape of plant surfaces. The computation of a shape based principal component analysis (PCA) built on concepts from continuum mechanics has proven to be an effective tool for a qualitative and quantitative shape examination.ResultsThe shape based PCA was used for a statistical analysis of 140 sugar beet roots of different cultivars. The calculation of the mean sugar beet root shape and the description of the main variations was possible. Furthermore, unknown and individual tap roots could be attributed to their cultivar by means of a robust classification tool based on the PCA results.ConclusionThe method demonstrates that it is possible to identify principal modes of root shape variations automatically and to quantify associated variances out of laserscanned 3D sugar beet tap root models. The introduced approach is not limited to the 3D shape description by laser scanning. A transfer to 3D MRI or radar data is also conceivable.

The arbuscular mycorrhizal mycelium from barley differentially influences various defense parameters in the non-host sugar beet under co-cultivation.

The interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and non-host species are poorly studied. Particularly scarce is information on members of the Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae family. Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) plants were co-cultivated with a host species (Hordeum vulgare) in the presence (+AMF) or absence of Rhizophagus intraradices to explore the hypothesis that the presence of an active, pre-established AMF mycelium induces defense responses in the non-host species. Biomass of sugar beet did not respond to the +AMF treatment, while its root exudation of organic acids and phenolic acids was drastically decreased upon co-cultivation with +AMF barley. The most conspicuous effect was observed on a wide range of potential defense parameters being differentially influenced by the +AMF treatment in this non-host species. Antioxidant defense enzymes were activated and the level of endogenous jasmonic acid was elevated accompanied by nitric oxide accumulation and lignin deposition in the roots after long-term +AMF treatment. In contrast, significant reductions in the levels of endogenous salicylic acid and tissue concentration and exudation of phenolic acids indicated that AM fungus hyphae in the substrate did not induce a hypersensitive-type response in the sugar beet roots and downregulated certain chemical defenses. Our results imply that the fitness of this non-host species is not reduced when grown in the presence of an AMF mycelium because of balanced defense costs. Further studies should address the question of whether or not such modulation of defense pattern influences the pest resistance of sugar beet plants under field conditions.

Feasibility study about the use of element profiles determined by ED-XRF as screening method to authenticate coconut sugar commercially available

Financial gain is a main driver for committing food fraud and replacement of ingredients with cheaper alternatives is an easy way to do it. Coconut sugar is becoming popular as an alternative to beetroot or cane sugar due to its high mineral content and lower glycaemic index. As its market price is about twice as high as that of conventional sugar, coconut sugar may become target to fraudulent manipulation. The present work explores the feasibility of using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence as a screening tool to verify its authenticity. Mass fractions of P, Cl, S, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Br, Rb, and Sr determined in eleven coconut, ten cane, and one beetroot sugar samples, purchased in Belgian, Spanish, Polish, and Italian supermarkets were used for discriminating the different sugars. On average, the mass fractions of all the mentioned elements were higher in coconut than in cane and beetroot sugars. Multivariate analysis of the elemental fingerprint by Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogies was used for authentication purposes. Models constructed were characterised by zero false positives; three coconut sugars (27%) could not be classified as such, neither as cane sugars.

Retracted: First report of Talaromyces pinophilus causing postharvest rot of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) in Minnesota, USA

In August 2018, sugar beet roots with dark brown to blue lesions was observed (5% incidence) in Moorhead, Minnesota (46.8738° N, 96.7678° W). Infected sugar beet roots were collected and stored in a cold room at 8 ±2°C, with 78% relative humidity. A week later, dark greyish to blue mould was found on 10% of sugar beet root surface. In the second week, blue-green mycelial growth was observed on the surface (Fig. 1). Infected root tissues were dissected and small pieces (5 mm2) were disinfected using 70% ethanol for 1 minute, flushed thrice with sterile water, air dried, transferred to 50% potato dextrose agar and incubated at 25°C with a 12-hr photoperiod for seven days (Khan et al., 1). The fungal colony was observed with blue-green velvety and white margins on the periphery (Fig. 2). Conidia were hyaline, globose, and conidiophores densely penicillated (Fig. 3). The morphological characteristics of the fungus suggested a Talaromyces species (Yilmaz et al., 4). Five isolates were developed by the single spore isolation method and genomic DNA was extracted. For the PCR assay, the ITS4/ITS5 primers were used to amplify the ITS genomic region. PCR products were cleaned using an E.Z.N.A® Cycle Pure Kit (Omega Bio-tek, USA) and sent for Sanger sequencing by GenScript (GenScript, Piscataway, USA). A Blastn analysis of the ITS sequences of the five isolates showed 100% alignment with Talaromyces pinophilus (Penicillium pinophilum), GenBank Accession No. AB455516.1, with an E-value of 0. The amplified sequence (539 bp) was submitted to NCBI (MK757839.1). A pathogenicity assay was done by spraying a conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml) on the surface of healthy sugar beet (cv. Marathon) and kept in a cold room at 8°C and 80% relative humidity. Twelve 22-week-old roots with two replications were used. Mock-inoculated sugar beet roots were sprayed with sterile water. Three weeks post-inoculation, all inoculated sugar beet roots were observed to have similar symptoms to those described previously (Fig. 4). The mock-inoculated beets remained disease free. Microscopic analysis of the fungus isolated from inoculated beets revealed a similar morphology to that used for inoculation, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Recently a Penicillium-like Talaromyces sp. has been reported to cause sucrose loss in sugar beet piles (Strausbaugh & Dugan, 3; Strausbaugh, 2). In this present study, the pathogenicity of Talaromyces pinophilus has been demonstrated in sugar beet. This is the first report of T. pinophilus causing postharvest rot in sugar beet in the USA.

Modification and setting of maximum residue levels for mefentrifluconazole in various crops.

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant BASF Agro BV Arnhem submitted a request to the competent national authority in Austria to set and modify the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance mefentrifluconazole in various products of plant and animal origin. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for pome fruits, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, potatoes, sweet corns, maize, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds, sugar beet roots, swine liver, bovine kidney and ruminant milk. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of mefentrifluconazole in plant and animal matrices at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg. A consumer risk assessment was performed for mefentrifluconazole. The short‐term and the long‐term intake of parent mefentrifluconazole resulting from the intended uses is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. EFSA also performed an indicative risk assessment for the following four metabolites of mefentrifluconazole, which are called triazole derivative metabolites (TDMs): triazole alanine (TA), triazole lactic acid (TLA), triazole acetic acid (TAA) and 1,2,4‐triazole (1,2,4‐T). These metabolites are common metabolites for a number of triazole fungicides. For the TDM risk assessment, EFSA took into account not only data from the intended uses of mefentrifluconazole but also the information available from various triazole pesticides previously assessed. Overall, the estimated exposure for TDMs did not exceed the toxicological reference values, noting that the consumer exposure assessments for the TDMs are affected by uncertainties related to the data gaps identified in the EU peer review of confirmatory data for TDMs.

Optimizing a pheromone lure for the sugar beet root maggot fly, Tetanops myopaeformis

AbstractWe previously described a putative aggregation pheromone in adults of the sugar beet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (von Röder) (Diptera: Ulidiidae), comprising nine compounds identified from males. Here, we conducted a series of experiments aimed at simplifying the blend of compounds necessary to achieve attraction as well as determining the dose that maximizes captures when formulated into an attractant lure. In all experiments, females showed stronger and more consistent evidence of attraction than males. White sticky traps baited with different blends of pheromone compounds that included the major component, (R)‐(−)‐2‐nonanol, showed significantly higher female captures relative to those baited with blends that excluded the major component. (R)‐(−)‐2‐nonanol alone was at least as effective as any blend that included this compound with other minor pheromone components. Lures using racemic 2‐nonanol were as effective as the (R) enantiomer for both females and males, with some evidence of weak attraction to the (S) enantiomer (which is not produced by males) observed as well. Maximum capture rates using racemic 2‐nonanol were estimated to occur with doses of ca. 795.5 and 621.6 mg for females and males, respectively. Addition of 2‐nonanol lures to standard orange sticky stake traps currently used to monitor flies increased captures of both sexes. The pheromone lure developed here could improve trapping efficiency of current monitoring programs for T. myopaeformis and may also be used to develop other management tools for this important pest of sugar beet.

Dynamics of sugar beet root, crown and leaves mass with regard to plant densities and spring nitrogen fertilization

This study analyzes the dynamics of sugar beet root, crown, and leaves fresh and dry matter (FM and DM, respectively) accumulation per plant and their mass ratio at different plant densities and nitrogen fertilization. The biennial field trials were set as four different planting densities (60,000, 80,000, 100,000 and 140,000 plants ha-1) and three methods of nitrogen application in spring: control – without nitrogen fertilization (N0), presowing only (N1), and presowing with topdressing (N2). Close to the maturation, the mean DM of the whole root, crown, and leaves on September 20, 2014 amounted to 28.8, 7.3 and 4.0 t ha-1, respectively, whereas it amounted to 20.7, 4.1 and 2.3 t ha-1 in 2015, respectively. Moreover, with regard to the plant densities, the highest root DM was at 140,000 and 100,000 (31.6 t ha-1 in 2014 and 22.4 t ha-1 in 2015), compared to the wider plant densities of 80,000 and 60,000 plants ha-1 (22.4 t ha-1 in 2014 and 18.1 t ha-1 in 2015). Nitrogen fertilization positively influenced on dry matter accumulation, but it was different within the years. On September 20, 2014, a presowing fertilization (N1) increased the root DM by 17%, compared to the control, whereas in 2015 the presowing with topdressing (N2) increased the root DM by 30%. The root-to-leaves FM ratio amounted to 1:3.9 on May 30, 2014, whereas it amounted to 1:0.1 on September 20, 2014. The leaves FM was at its largest on June 20, 2015, when the root-to-leaves ratio amounted to 1:1.1, and gradually decreased to 1:0.1 on September 20, 2015.

Influence of tissue strength on root damage and storage losses of sugar beet

Harvesting and cleaning of sugar beet lead to root damage, which increases storage losses due to wound healing and by causing entry points for pathogens. This study aimed at quantifying the effects of variety and site on the tissue strength of sugar beet roots, and moreover, to evaluate the impact of tissue strength on damage and storage losses. For this purpose, field trials with three varieties were carried out at six sites, three in Germany and the others in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden in 2018. Texture analysis and storage trials were conducted in Göttingen. Puncture and compression measurements revealed differences in tissue strength between varieties and sites. Drought stress during the vegetation period significantly reduced the tissue strength. Tissue strength of sugar beet roots turned out to be an environmental stable variety characteristic. It is not possible to draw conclusions from tissue strength to storage losses at a site, since many other factors, such as growing conditions, diseases and damage due to harvester settings have a strong impact. However, tissue strength might be an indicator for damage susceptibility and storage losses of sugar beet varieties.

RNAseq Analysis of Rhizomania-Infected Sugar Beet Provides the First Genome Sequence of Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus from the USA and Identifies a Novel Alphanecrovirus and Putative Satellite Viruses.

“Rhizomania” of sugar beet is a soilborne disease complex comprised of beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) and its plasmodiophorid vector, Polymyxa betae. Although BNYVV is considered the causal agent of rhizomania, additional viruses frequently accompany BNYVV in diseased roots. In an effort to better understand the virus cohort present in sugar beet roots exhibiting rhizomania disease symptoms, five independent RNA samples prepared from diseased beet seedlings reared in a greenhouse or from field-grown adult sugar beet plants and enriched for virus particles were subjected to RNAseq. In all but a healthy control sample, the technique was successful at identifying BNYVV and provided sequence reads of sufficient quantity and overlap to assemble > 98% of the published genome of the virus. Utilizing the derived consensus sequence of BNYVV, infectious RNA was produced from cDNA clones of RNAs 1 and 2. The approach also enabled the detection of beet soilborne mosaic virus (BSBMV), beet soilborne virus (BSBV), beet black scorch virus (BBSV), and beet virus Q (BVQ), with near-complete genome assembly afforded to BSBMV and BBSV. In one field sample, a novel virus sequence of 3682 nt was assembled with significant sequence similarity and open reading frame (ORF) organization to members within the subgenus Alphanecrovirus (genus Necrovirus; family Tombusviridae). Construction of a DNA clone based on this sequence led to the production of the novel RNA genome in vitro that was capable of inducing local lesion formation on leaves of Chenopodium quinoa. Additionally, two previously unreported satellite viruses were revealed in the study; one possessing weak similarity to satellite maize white line mosaic virus and a second possessing moderate similarity to satellite tobacco necrosis virus C. Taken together, the approach provides an efficient pipeline to characterize variation in the BNYVV genome and to document the presence of other viruses potentially associated with disease severity or the ability to overcome resistance genes used for sugar beet rhizomania disease management.

Effect of foliar fertilization on the yield, sugar contents and improving resistance of cercospora leaf spot on sugar beet

In this study six mineral elements; Copper sulfate (Cu SO₄), Potassium sulfate (K2 SO₄), Micron Sulfure (S), Boric acid (H3 BO3), Copper sulfate + Micron Sulfure (Cu SO₄ + S) and Potassium sulfate + Boric acid (K2 SO₄ + H3 BO3) as well as fungicide; Montoro 30% were used as foliar spraying. These elements were evaluated against Cercospora, leaf spot disease on sugar beet under field conditions during two season; 2017/18 and 2018/19. All foliar applications were significantly reduced the disease severity % compared to untreated treatment during the two seasons. Potassium and combined application of Potassium and Boron treatments recorded the high value of sugar beet leaf dry weight over the control. Sulfure application led to an increase the fresh weight of sugar beet root, while Boron application increased the total soluble solid (TSS), sucrose % and purity %. Results obtained showed significant increasing (%) in catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and polyphenolosxidase (PPO) activities in the case of mineral application and Montoro 30% fungicide compare with untreated treatment. However, the present study showed that foliar application of mineral elements tested in increased yield components of sugar beet, and thus is recommended to increase root yield and quality as well as can reduce disease severity.

Optimization of substrate composition in anaerobic co-digestion of agricultural waste using central composite design

Biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests and modelling of anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of ternary mixtures of agricultural waste, i.e., sugar beet root waste (BW), cow dung (CD), and poultry manure (PM), are presented. According to a two-factor central composite design (CCD), 12 BMP tests were conducted under mesophilic conditions for 30 days (d). CD mass fraction (0.146–0.854) in the animal manure mixture and C/N ratio (13.515–30.485) of ternary waste mixture were selected as process factors. Experimental values of ultimate cumulative methane yield as process response were in the range of 105.32–356.10 mL/g VS. A first-order rate model was applied to predict the process kinetics. Enhanced values of methane production rate, evaluated as rate constant (0.044–0.123 d−1), were obtained for lower levels of CD mass fraction and higher levels of C/N ratio. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to assess the effects of process factors on the response and to find the optimum factor levels leading to a maximum performance. A maximum value of response variable of 347.48 mL/g VS was predicted for a CD fraction of 0.323 and a C/N ratio of 26.24. Values of experimental ultimate methane yield of 358.45 ± 33.40 mL/g VS, obtained in the BMP tests at optimum levels of process factors, were close to that of the maximum response predicted by the statistical model, demonstrating the model validity. Moreover, a significant synergistic effect (an increase in methane yield by 41.2%) related to the weighed experimental BMP of substrate mixture was obtained under optimum conditions.

Potential host range of four Phytophthora interspecific hybrids from Clade 8a

AbstractIn recent years several interspecific hybrids have been reported in the plant pathogenic oomycete genus Phytophthora. Due to the large genotypic and phenotypic changes, these hybrids might have broader or more limited host ranges compared with their parental species. It is crucial to understand the host range of Phytophthora hybrids to minimize the economic losses caused by their infection. The potential host range of four hybrids belonging to Clade 8a of the Phytophthora phylogenetic tree was investigated in this study. Thirty species of herbaceous plants as well as eight species of woody plants were inoculated and monitored for any symptom of infection. In addition, the detached twigs of 32 tree species, fruits of six plant species, tubers of potato, and roots of carrot and sugar beet were investigated for susceptibility to these hybrids. Almost all hybrids caused severe rot on all tested fruits, tubers, and roots, although different isolates showed different pathogenicity on detached tree twigs. All hybrids tested had a different host range compared with their parental species: they were able to infect plants outside the host range of their parents, infect hosts of both parental species, although these parents did not have overlapping hosts, or, in some cases, they were not able to infect hosts infected by the parents.