Sugar Beet Tops Research Articles

Theoretical Study of the Motion of a Cut Sugar Beet Tops Particle along the Inner Surface of the Conveying and Unloading System of a Topping Machine

One of the most delicate operations in the sugar beet harvesting process is removing the tops from the heads of the root crops without any mechanical damages. The aim of this study is to improve the design of the conveying and unloading system of the sugar beet topper machine. In this paper, a mathematical model of the motion of a cut beet tops particle M, along the conveying and unloading system, has been developed to support the evaluation of kinematic and design parameters, depending on the rotational speed of the thrower blade, the air flow speed, the required ejection speed of particle M, and the position of the trailer that moves alongside the harvester. It has been established that increasing the speed Va of the top particle M, which has left the end of the blade of the thrower, leads to an increase in the arc coordinate S(t) of its movement along the cylindrical section of the casing. Within the range of the speed change from 4 m·s–1 to 8 m·s–1, the value of the arc coordinate S(t) increases by 1.4 times during time t = 0.006 s. Moreover, a rapid decrease in speed V is observed with an increase in the length x of the discharge chute.

Theory of Movement of the Sugar Beet Tops in Loading Mechanism, Taking into Account the Influence of the Air Flow

A new design of the haulm harvester with an improved loading mechanism has been developed, which is made in the form of a centrifugal thrower that receives the entire volume of the cut sugar beet tops, as well as an unloading pipe, the end of which is at the level of the vehicle, moving beside the haulm harvester. To substantiate the rational parameters of this loading device, a mathematical model of the movement of a particle along the thrower blade and its exit from the blade was developed in order to simulate further movement along the inner surface of the cylindrical part of the casing and its straight part before entering the vehicle. The resulting differential equation for the movement of a haulm particle along the thrower blade takes into account the influence of the airflow created by the rotation of the thrower, the blades of which capture and accelerate the air in the closed space of the cylindrical casing. The indicated differential equation includes the basic design, kinematic, and power parameters affecting the flow of the studied loading process of the tops. The solution of these differential equations on a PC made it possible to obtain graphic dependencies, with the help of which the rational parameters of the working bodies of the loading mechanism of the haulm harvester were substantiated. As calculations show, an increase in the angular velocity of rotation of the thrower and the length of its blade leads to an increase in the absolute velocity of the haulm particle M from the end of the blade. Thus, by increasing the length of the thrower blade from 0.1 m to 0.35 m and its angular velocity from 10 s−1 to 40 s−1, the absolute velocity increases from 1.2 m s−1 to 16 m s−1. At an angular speed of rotation of the thrower equal to 10 s−1, an increase in the airflow velocity from 5 to 35 m s−1 leads to a smooth linear increase in the relative velocity of particle M, as it moves along the blade of 0.67 to 0.78 m s−1. For a higher angular velocity of rotation of the thrower, equal to 20 s−1, the growth curve of the relative velocity of particle M is more intense at an airflow velocity in the range from 5 to 25 m s−1, approaching the linear law at an airflow velocity of more than 25 m s−1. In this case, the relative velocity varies from 0.9 to 1.4 m s−1.

Theory of Movement of Machine-Tractor Unit with Trailer Haulm Harvester Machine

Harvesting sugar and fodder beet tops is a complex technological process that requires the use of special harvesting machines. Trailed harvesters of different rows, which together with aggregate tractors form symmetric or asymmetric machine-tractor units, the movement of which in the horizontal plane is not always stable, are widely used. The purpose of this study is to determine the parameters of stable plane-parallel motion of asymmetric harvester machine-tractor unit based on numerical computer simulation of the obtained analytical dependencies. According to the results of the analytical study, the values of the amplitude and phase-frequency characteristics of the turning angle tractor’s oscillations were obtained. They reflect the reproduction by the angle rotation fluctuations of the haulm harvester machine in the horizontal plane. Calculations have shown that reducing the value of the input resistance coefficient of pneumatic tires of the driving wheels of the aggregating tractor increases its sensitivity to the action of disturbing influences. The greater the sensitivity, the closer the wheels of the power tool are to the attachment point of the trailed haulm harvester. In qualitative terms, increasing the speed of the machine-tractor unit from 1.5 to 2.5 m∙s−1 leads to an undesirable increase in the amplitude-frequency response and desired increase in the phase-frequency response when reproducing its external disturbing effects in the form of oscillations of the angle of rotation of the harvester.

Дослідження експлуатаційних показників гичкозбирального машинно-тракторного агрегату

Goal. To determine the influence of oscillations in the longitudinal-vertical plane of a rotary top gatherer mounted on the front of a wheeled aggregate tractor on its performance, by the method of conducting field experimental studies. Methods. During the research, methods of field experimental research were used to determine the performance of such top gatherer. The program and methods of experimental research were developed, the results of which were processed by statistical methods on the PC using the basic methods of regression and correlation analysis. Results. A new 3-row top gatherer was developed that implements the above principles of operation and had successfully passed production tests. The top gatherer is aggregated by the method of front mounting on a wheeled tractor of traction class 1.4, which has a front power take-off shaft. Field experimental studies were conducted to determine the performance of such top gatherers. For this purpose, the program and a technique of experimental researches which results were processed by statistical methods on the PC with the use of basic methods of regression and correlation analysis were developed. Conclusions. The following operational indicators were obtained: productivity, for aggregation with a wheeled tractor class 1.4 — 2.15 ha·shift–1; specific fuel consumption — 3.02 kg·ha–1; direct operating costs — 441.18 UAH·ha–1. Power for the process of harvesting sugar beet tops was 14.48 kW, traction power did not exceed 3.6 kW. It was established that the power required to cut the beam was 6–6.2 kW, and to ensure the transportation and loading of the cut haulm into the vehicle — 3.5–4.8 kW. The obtained results of researches of operational indicators of this 3-row top gatherer were about twice smaller in comparison with serial samples.

Effect of Replacing Berseem Hay by Dried Sugar Beet Tops on Performance of Friesian Calves

Effect of Replacing Berseem Hay by Dried Sugar Beet Tops on Performance of Friesian Calves

Вплив змінних гідротермічних умов на поживний режим чорнозему типового та ефективність побічної продукції як добрива

Goal. To determine patterns of formation of the main and by-products of crop production on typical chornozem. To assess the use of low-value parts of the crop for fertilizer in the system of organic farming. Methods. During an experiment established in 1962, 16 variants of field crop rotations were studied. An organic system of agriculture was applied with the use of only by-products of the crop for fertilizer: grain straw and sugar beet tops. Results. With long-term use of by-products without the use of mineral fertilizers in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on typical chornozem, legumes, on average, provide grain yield up to 2 t/ha, annual grasses — at the level of 15 t/ha green mass, and corn for silage up to 25 t/ha. The grain yield of winter wheat on pure fallow is 4.21 t/ha, after peas — 3.66, and after the rank — 3.42 t/ha with fluctuations in its ratio with straw from 1:1.2 to 1:1.7. The yield of sugar beet roots has an average level of 27 t/ha in the ratio of tops 1:0.4. The average grain yield of buckwheat is 1.2-1.3 t/ha in the absence of correlation with straw biomass, with fluctuations in the ratio between them from 1:1.6 to 1:3.5, and an average value of 1:2.2. The yield of spring barley after sugar beet and buckwheat had an average of 2.16 and 1.99 t/ha for the ratio of straw 1:1.34 and 1:1.35. Conclusions. Analysis of yield data in terms of the impact of crop rotations of the first crops on subsequent ones shows that predecessors mostly affect winter wheat and sugar beet. The obtained results make it possible to determine the production volumes of crop by-products according to the yield data of the main products to use them for fertilizer in the system of organic production.

УРОЖАЙНІСТЬ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ В КОРОТКОРОТАЦІЙНІЙ ПРОСАПНІЙ СІВОЗМІНІ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД УДОБРЕННЯ Й ОСНОВНОГО ОБРОБІТКУ ҐРУНТУ

Застосування оптимальної системи удобрення та проведення раціонального основного обробітку ґрунту під всі культури сівозміни сприяє підвищенню врожайності пшениці озимої. Проте, дослідних даних про вплив удобрення та способів обробітку ґрунту на зернову продуктивність пшениці озимої у зоні недостатнього зволоження вкрай не вистачає. В цьому і полягає актуальність та практичне значення відповідних досліджень, мета яких – виявлення впливу систем основного обробітку ґрунту на врожайність пшениці озимої за умови органічної та мінеральної систем удобрення в короткоро-таційній просапній сівозміні. Завдання досліджень полягало у з’ясуванні впливу різних способів осно-вного обробітку ґрунту на зернову продуктивність пшениці озимої; вивченні дії різних систем удоб-рення, що застосовуються під час вирощування сільськогосподарських культур у короткоротаційній просапній сівозміні, на вихід зерна пшениці озимої; дослідженні та аналізі зернової продуктивності пшениці озимої за умови комплексного впливу на неї попередників, удобрення і способів обробітку ґрунту. Відповідні польові дослідження проводили у стаціонарному досліді Веселоподільської дослід-но-селекційної станції (Семенівський район, Полтавська область) Інституту біоенергетичних куль-тур і цукрових буряків Національної академії аграрних наук України упродовж 2015–2018 рр. У ре-зультаті проведених досліджень встановлено, що у короткоротаційній просапній сівозміні урожай-ність пшениці озимої залежала від комплексного впливу способів основного обробітку ґрунту, що проводилися під усі сільськогосподарські культури певної ланки, і системи удобрення, що застосову-валася за всю ротацію сівозміни. Середня за чотири роки максимальна врожайність зерна пшениці озимої – 4,61 т/га – була отримана в ланці, де проводили оранку на глибину 20–22 см під кукурудзу на силос і 30–32 см під цукрові буряки та поверхневий обробіток ґрунту на глибину 10–12 см під пшени-цю озиму і ячмінь ярий за умови внесення за ротацію сівозміни з розрахунку на 1 га ріллі 6,25 т гною + N33,8Р33,8К33,8 без соломи і без гички.

Обгрунтування конструктивних особливостей та кінематичний аналіз руху гичкоочисної машини

Зниження собівартості цукрової сировини поряд з підвищенням її якості дозволить підтримувати та підвищити конкурентноспроможність українських виробників цукру на міжнародному рівні, а також будуть створені передумови для зниження вартості кінцевого продукту на внутрішньому ринку. Одним із шляхів досягнення такої мети виступає застосування таких технічних рішень під час виробництва сировини які забезпечать зниження затрат праці та енергоємність процесів виробництва.В статті запропоновано конструкцію трирядної навісної машини призначеної для зрізування, подрібнення та розкидання по ширині захвату гички цукрових буряків, очищення залишків гички комбінованими та еластичними робочими органами, причому еластичні робочі органи закріплені на паралелограмному копіювальному механізмі та обертаються в протилежну сторону відносно зрізуючих. Робочі вали машини розміщені паралельно рядкам посівів культури, а робочі органи закріплені перпендикулярно. Зріз і подрібнення гички проводиться г-подібними ножами розміщеними попереду на висоті вищій за ріст коренеплодів. Після чого, комбінованим очисником, який складається з пари жорстких прутків встановлених на пружній підвісці та U-подібного еластичного бича, проводиться очищення залишків гички. Жорсткі прутки застосовуються з метою підняття і обриву полеглої та сухої гички та розбивання жмутка залишків гички на голівці коренеплоду, а пружна підвіска забезпечує таке прикладене зусилля, яке непошкодить тіло кореня. Еластичний очисник проводить послідуюче зчісування залишків гички з голівки коренеплоду. Доочисний пристрій встановлений під кутом до напрямку руху машини на паралелограмному копіювальному механізмі з регулювально-опорними полозами, а також встановлено привідний механізм зміни напряму обертання валів доочисника. Доочисник являє собою батарею набраних еластичних бичів.Проведено кінематичний аналіз руху машини та паралелограмного копіювального механізму. Отримано коефіцієнт кінематичного режиму роботи очисника з віссю обертання паралельною до напрямку переносної поступальної швидкості та рівняння шляху вертикального переміщення точок даного механізму з регулювально-опорним полозом в залежності від часу.Результатом дослідження є визначенні перспективи вдосконалення технології очищення гички цукрових буряків, запропоновано нову конструкцію очисної машини та проведено кінематичний аналіз паралелограмного копіювального механізму з регулювально-опорними полозами.

Productivity of sugar beet and barley in short crop rotations as affected by fertilization and tillage

Purpose. To find out the dependence of sugar beet and barley productivity in short crop rotations on organo-mineral fertilizer system and soil tillage with the use of manure and harvest residues (straw of cereals and sugar beet tops).Methods. Field, laboratory, and statistical.Results. The study was carried out in the area of insufficient soil moisture of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on the slightly saline chernozem in a long-term stationary experiment in the following short crop rotations: crop rotation system esparcet + Festuca pratensis and grain-hoed crop rotation in the link with bare fallow with the 25 % share of sugar beet. Fertilization for the experiment was organo-mineral, both in crop rotation and under sugar beet. Barley was grown after sugar beet against the background of the aftereffect of fertilizers applied to sugar beet. The ploughing of harvest residues of all the crops of the rotation into the soil against the background of mineral fertilization was not inferior to the use of manure and mineral fertilization system by the effect on the sugar beet and barley yields.Conclusions. Under the application of 25 t/ha of manure + N90P90K90, in the crop rotatory system, root yield and sugar yields were 37.6 and 6.56 t/ha, respectively. To compare, in grain-hoed crop rotation, these values were 38.3 and 6.62 t/ha, respectively. When ploughing the crop residues of all crops in the rotation into the soil + N90P90K90, root yield in both crop rotation systems was at the level of the treatment 25 t/ha of manure + N90P90K90. Sugar beet productivity under the combined tillage in the grain-hoed crop rotation and all fertilization systems was not inferior to ploughing. Under the application of 25 t/ha of manure + straw in both crop rotation systems, root yield was 36.4 and 34.2 t/ha, respectively, and sugar yield was 6.13 and 5.81 t/ha, respectively. Barley yield in both crop rotation systems under the aftereffect of fertilizers applied to sugar beet + straw + N90P90K90 had advantages in the link with bare fallow compared to the link esparcet + Festuca pratensis. Barley yield under the combined soil tillage was not inferior to ploughing.

Feed utilization and lactational performance of Friesian cows fed beet tops silage treated with lactic acid bacteria as a replacement for corn silage

Thirty multiparous lactating Friesian cows were used to study the effect of partial or complete replacement of corn silage with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), molasses and calcium carbonate ensiled sugar beet tops for 3 months in a complete randomized experimental design with repeated measures. A week after parturition, cows were grouped into three treatments of 10 cows each and fed a control treatment containing corn silage at 300 g/kg DM. In the other treated diets, 50% or 100% of the control corn silage was substituted with beet tops silage treated with LAB included at 150 g or 300 g per kg diet. Ensiling of beet tops with LAB decreased its contents of oxalic acid and neutral detergent and acid detergent fibers but increased its contents of non-structural carbohydrate and calcium. Without affecting daily milk production and feed efficiency, beet tops silage treated with LAB diets decreased (p < 0.05) feed intake, total ruminal volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate concentrations, energy-corrected milk yield and concentrations of milk total solids, fat, protein and energy. In conclusion, beet tops silage treated with LAB can replace corn silage in diets of lactating cows. An inclusion rate of 15% of beet tops silage treated with LAB (replacing 50% of corn silage) in the diet was the most suitable level for lactating cows under the current experimental conditions.

Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for prochloraz in various commodities.

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant ADAMA Agriculture BV submitted an application to the competent national authority in Belgium (evaluating Member State (EMS)) to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance prochloraz in sugar beet root and in liver and kidney of swine and ruminant. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive an MRL proposal for sugar beet root. Residues in sugar beet tops from the new use were found to contribute significantly to the livestock exposure. As the dietary burden needs to be calculated including all feed items and since not all information is available at the moment, EFSA proposes to assess the magnitude of prochloraz residues in animal commodities under the currently ongoing review of prochloraz MRLs according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Adequate analytical methods are available to control the residues of prochloraz residues in plant and animal matrices. The risk assessment performed by EFSA gave an indication that residues of prochloraz may lead to an exceedance of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Thus, before the MRL for sugar beet is amended, it is necessary that a comprehensive, refined risk assessment is performed, taking into account all existing uses of prochloraz and the intended new use on sugar beet. Considering that the MRL review for prochloraz is currently ongoing, the results of the comprehensive risk assessment will be available in due time.

Dietary Sugar Beet Tops and Prebiotic Effect on Nutrient Digestibility, Caecal Activity and Organ Histology of Weaning Rabbits

The current study was designed to evaluate the effect feeding weaning rabbits sugar beet tops (SBT) with prebiotic on digestibility of nutrients and caecal microbial activity, volatile fatty acids estimation and organs histology. Fifty four 6-week-old unsexed weaning NZW rabbits were randomly distributed in a factorial (3 × 2) design to six equal groups. Sugar beet tops (SBT) was used at levels 0.0, 20 or 30% of the diet instead of the percent of alfalfa hay in the control diet in presence of 1.0 g/kg diet or absence of prebiotic (Perfect). Digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and NFE of 12-week old NZW rabbits were improved by feeding SBT-containing diets. Dietary SBT level had no significant effect on pH value, TVFA,s and NH3-N values for caecum content of 12 weeks old NZW rabbits, however, total bacteria, E. coli and lactobacillus counts were significantly affected. Feeding SBT-containing diets did not alter plasma concentrations of AST and ALT of 12-week-old rabbits. Dietary prebiotic had a positive effect on the digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE of growing rabbits. Added prebiotic had a positive effect on caecal fermentative activities and caecal microbial activity of growing rabbits. The pH value, ammonia-N level, total bacteria and lactobacillus counts of rabbits fed prebiotic-supplemented diets were significantly higher but E. coli count was reduced as compared to control ones. This study concluded that sugar beet tops can be safely used in rabbit diets up to 30% instead of alfalfa hay.

Theory of Vibrations of Sugar Beet Leaf Harvester Front-Mounted on Universal Tractor

Abstract The harvest and transport of sugar beet leaves during harvesting can be considered a current task in the area of sugar beet growing system development. A rotary sugar beet leaf cutting mechanism is used for achieving the significant increase in the harvester forward speed during harvest. This leads to intensive vibrations of the topping mechanism in the longitudinal vertical plane causing the decrease of harvest quality. Therefore, it is necessary to analytically determine the effect of kinematic and design parameters of the sugar beet topping mechanism front-mounted on the tractor and to discover the value of the amplitude of oscillations in the longitudinal vertical plane of its sugar beet topping mechanism. We have constructed a mathematical model of the estimated motion of this machine by means of dynamics equations in Lagrange II-kind form. A system consisting of two non-linear differential equations was obtained by developing the equivalent scheme of selected generalized coordinates and by performing the necessary mathematical transformations. This system describes the vibrations of the sugar beet topping mechanism in the longitudinal vertical plane. The optimal design and kinematic parameters of the sugar beet topper mechanism front-mounted on the tractor were determined by means of our own software and numerical solution of the differential equation system, which allows the reduction of mentioned vibrations.

Theory of the interaction of flat sensing organ with the head of the sugar beet root

Sugar beet leaves now are very widely used for livestock feeding, as an organic fertiliser, and also as a raw material for the production of biogas. Therefore the harvest of the sugar beet tops (including leaves) can be considered as current task for the sugar beet growing system. Modern technologies involve harvest of the tops of sugar beet in two stages: flat basic cut and collecting of the entire green mass at higher altitude and the subsequent cutting of the heads of root crops from the residues. Therefore, topical issues of the sensing of the heads of sugar beet roots arranged in rows, are related to the majority of the sugar beet toppers, cleaners of the sugar beet heads, leaves cutters and, digging up working bodies of some designs. The aim of this study is theoretical determination the optimum design and kinematic parameters of a new sensing mechanism of the sugar beet heads located in the soil on the basis of the theory of interaction of flat passive swath board sensing organ with the sugar beet heads during their topping when located in the soil. In the study there are used methods of creation of mathematical models of functioning of the agricultural machines and their working bodies with the using of main provisions of mathematics, theoretical mechanics, programming and numerical calculations on the PC. In this paper, there is presented a theoretical study of the interaction of passive sensing organ with the head of the sugar beet root when there are located residues of the leaves on a root head spherical surface in the form of short elastic rods. Thus, for such an interaction of the sensing organ and the head of sugar beet root head there is taken into account elastic-damping properties of the sugar beet leaves residues. In the study there was first of all developed a new design of the topper for sugar beet heads with the use of a flat swath board sensing organ, there was developed the equivalent scheme of the interaction of the sensing organ with a fixed sugar beet root head. There was also selected and arranged the axis of coordinates, and determined the active forces and angle parameters. Using the basic law of dynamics there was made up a new system of differential equations and the integration of which has made it possible to find the laws of variation of the speed of movement and of the movement of the flat passive sensing organ on the head of sugar beet root head at the beginning of the contact. After determining the initial values of force and design parameters it is possible to solve them on PC to optimise kinematic and structural parameters of the sensing mechanism.

Mathematical model of the movement of a towed machine for cleaning beet tops residues from root crop heads

The work of a tractor-towed machine for cleaning beet top residues from root crop heads, when used with supporting pneumatic wheels, is accompanied with its oscillations in the vertical plane, which has consider- able impact on the quality of implementing the technological process. Therefore, the determination of opti- mal parameters for the cleaning machine, ensuring more stable movement of its cleaning working tool, in the longitudinal-vertical plane fi rst and foremost, is an important task of the mechanization of sugar beet grow- ing industry. Aim. To enhance the effi ciency of cleaning sugar beet top residues from root crop heads via the elaboration of the mathematical model of the oscillating movement of the towed machine for cleaning beet top residues from root crop heads in the longitudinal-vertical plane. Methods. The methods of building computational mathematical models for the functioning of agricultural machines and equipment, based on theoretical mechanics and advanced mathematics, were used. Results. The elaborated equivalent scheme of the movement of the towed cleaning machine was used to obtain the system of two non-linear differential equations for detailed study of the oscillations of the root crop head cleaner in the longitudinal-vertical plane while its supporting pneumatic wheels are moving along uneven soil surface. The mathematical model for the movement of the cleaner with horizontal cleaning roller, elaborated on the basis of initial dynamics equa- tions in the Lagrangian form of the second kind, allowed determining the connection between constructive and kinematic parameters of the vehicle and its oscillating characteristics. The established dependencies formed the prerequisites for further mathematical digital modelling of the parameters of the towed machine for cleaning of root crop heads with a horizontal cleaning roller. Conclusions. The established computation- al model allows optimizing the values of several parameters, characterizing the oscillations of the machine in the longitudinal-vertical plane.

Cellular and humoral immunity of carp at the action of biologically active additives

The work of a tractor-towed machine for cleaning beet top residues from root crop heads, when used with supporting pneumatic wheels, is accompanied with its oscillations in the vertical plane, which has consider- able impact on the quality of implementing the technological process. Therefore, the determination of opti- mal parameters for the cleaning machine, ensuring more stable movement of its cleaning working tool, in the longitudinal-vertical plane fi rst and foremost, is an important task of the mechanization of sugar beet grow- ing industry. Aim. To enhance the effi ciency of cleaning sugar beet top residues from root crop heads via the elaboration of the mathematical model of the oscillating movement of the towed machine for cleaning beet top residues from root crop heads in the longitudinal-vertical plane. Methods. The methods of building computational mathematical models for the functioning of agricultural machines and equipment, based on theoretical mechanics and advanced mathematics, were used. Results. The elaborated equivalent scheme of the movement of the towed cleaning machine was used to obtain the system of two non-linear differential equations for detailed study of the oscillations of the root crop head cleaner in the longitudinal-vertical plane while its supporting pneumatic wheels are moving along uneven soil surface. The mathematical model for the movement of the cleaner with horizontal cleaning roller, elaborated on the basis of initial dynamics equa- tions in the Lagrangian form of the second kind, allowed determining the connection between constructive and kinematic parameters of the vehicle and its oscillating characteristics. The established dependencies formed the prerequisites for further mathematical digital modelling of the parameters of the towed machine for cleaning of root crop heads with a horizontal cleaning roller. Conclusions. The established computation- al model allows optimizing the values of several parameters, characterizing the oscillations of the machine in the longitudinal-vertical plane.

Efficiency of Utilization of Sugar Beet Tops Hay and Prebiotic in Diets of Growing Rabbits

Efficiency of Utilization of Sugar Beet Tops Hay and Prebiotic in Diets of Growing Rabbits

Profiling of sugar beet genotypes for agronomical, sugar quality and forage traits and their genetic diversity analysis using SSR markers

Earlier studies have well established the cultivation of sugarbeet as winter crop in Indian subtropics and indicated its potential in augmentation of the raw material for sugar production with good profitability. A set of sugarbeet genotypes obtained, were therefore, evaluated for their economic traits and sugar yield at two feasible crop durations. Out of 15, three genotypes viz., Kaveri, Shubra and LKC-2010 have performed well and suggested to exploit commercially with crop duration of 210 days. As sucrose content increased in all the genotypes (though per cent increase varied among genotypes) from April to May, it is recommended to harvest sugarbeet in mid May for better returns. Forage quality parameters theoretically indicated the suitability of sugarbeet tops after harvest to use as fodder, further boosting its acceptability along with shorter crop duration and lesser requirement of resources crop inputs as compared to sugarcane, Thus, sugarbeet appears agriculturally feasible, less capital intensive and holds great promise. Molecular characterization of sugarbeet genotypes was done using 14 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Unique DNA profiles of all the genotypes could be created using a set of six polymorphic SSR markers. The dendrogram depicting the genetic relationships classified the genotypes in two diverse clusters. This SSR marker based diversity would facilitate sugarbeet hybridization programme involving diverse parents.

Long-term effects of crop rotation, manure and mineral fertilisation on carbon sequestration and soil fertility

Abstract Carbon sequestration, recently advocated to mitigate climate change, needs a thorough knowledge of the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC), whose study requires long-term experiments. A field trial started in 1967 is still in progress in the Southeast Po valley (Italy). It compares a 9-year rotation (corn–wheat–corn–wheat–corn–wheat–alfalfa–alfalfa–alfalfa), two 2-year successions (corn–wheat and sugarbeet–wheat), continuous corn and continuous wheat. During the first 18 years (up to 1984) wheat crops were always followed by catch crops of silage corn. Within each rotation, three rates of cattle manure have been factorially combined with three mineral NP rates. In 1984 the highest manure application was stopped. Wheat straw and corn stalks have always been removed from the field. Since 1972 up to now every year we have determined the organic C and total N contents in soil samples collected from 0.40-m depth. During the first 18 years (in the presence of the catch crop) SOC exponentially declined, probably as a consequence of the intensification of tillage depth and crop succession with respect to the previous conventional agriculture. The intensification regarded ploughing, which became deeper, the number of cropped species that in most treatments was reduced, and mineral N application, which, on average, increased. The drop was faster in the sugarbeet–wheat succession than in the 9-yr rotation and continuous wheat. After 1985, without the catch crop, SOC linearly increased, faster in the 9-yr rotation and continuous wheat than in sugarbeet–wheat. The results can be ascribed to the amount and C/N ratio of debris remaining in the field after each crop, even after having taken away wheat straw and corn stalks. The debris consisted of sugarbeet tops, with a low C/N ratio, and of roots and basal culms of the two cereal crops with higher C/N ratio. Mineral fertilizers significantly increased SOC, probably for the greater amount of cereal roots and sugarbeet tops in more fertilized plots. The influence of manure was less intense, but its benefits lasted longer than 18 years after its interruption. Soil N content was more related to accumulated organic matter than to mineral N fertilisation. In conclusion the highest C sequestration was obtained with manure addition, with the highest rate of mineral fertilizers, and in the rotation containing the alfalfa ley. The effects of these factors were not additive.

Compost and Manure Effects on Sugarbeet Nitrogen Uptake, Nitrogen Recovery, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

To maximize recoverable sucrose from sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), producers must effectively manage added N, be it from urea or organic sources such as manure or composted manure. Our study's objective was to determine the effects of a one‐time application of stockpiled and composted dairy cattle (Bos taurus) manure on sugarbeet N uptake, nitrogen recovery (NR) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). First‐year Site A treatments included a control (no N), urea (202 kg N ha−1), compost (218 and 435 kg estimated available N ha−1), and manure (140 and 280 kg available N ha−1). Site B treatments were a control, urea (82 kg N ha−1), compost (81 and 183 kg available N ha−1), and manure (173 and 340 kg available N ha−1). Compost and manure were incorporated into two silt loams, a Greenleaf (fine‐silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Xeric Calciargid) near Parma, ID, in fall 2002 and 2003 and a Portneuf (coarse‐silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Durinodic Xeric Haplocalcid) near Kimberly, ID, in fall 2002 with sugarbeet planted the following spring. At each site, N uptake of sugarbeet tops, but not roots, was similar whether fertilized with urea or organic N, regardless of rate. Incorporating equal organic amendment rates to 0.05 rather than 0.10 m increased whole‐plant N uptake 1.13‐fold, to 163.3 kg N ha−1. In general, NR varied among fertilizer sources such that urea &gt;&gt; manure &gt; compost. Where similar available N rates were supplied, NUE ranged from 44.1 to 83.5 kg sucrose kg−1 available N, not differing among inorganic and organic N sources within site‐years.