Sugarbeet Root Yield Research Articles

EFFECT OF BORON SPRAY ON SOME PRODUCTIVITY PARAMETERS OF SUGERBEET IN SOME NINEVEH GOVERNORATE SOILS

To study the effect of foliar application of boron on growth and yield of sugar beet, two representing locations to Nineveh province which are differ in their chemical and physical properties were selected. Four boron levels (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5) mg B. L-1 were sprayed, as boric acid (17.5% boron), using complete randomized block design (CRBD) with four replicates, the addition of boron was applied once and after the plant have at least six leaves. The results indicated that foliar application of boron resulted in a considerable increase in the fresh root yield of sugar beet in Hawi-Alwasta location 66.97 , 87.37 and 39.47%. However in Hammam Al-Alil location the first and second levels 2.5 and 5 mg B. L-1 as compared to zero boron resulted in an increase in the yield 2.18 and 39.33% respectively, while the highest level of boron 7.5 mg B. L-1 caused a decrease in yield (-12.19%).The foliar application of boron resulted in an increase in sugar percentage 13.95 , 18.60 and 10.46% in first location and 9.09 , 21.81 and 18.18% in second location as compared to zero boron respectively. However the yield of pure sugar in first location were 0.964 , 1.061 , 1.130 and 0.920 T.D-1 and 0.764 , 0.932 , 1.673 and 0.710 T.D-1 in second location.

Land Application of Sugar Beet By‐products: Effects on Nitrogen Mineralization and Crop Yields

Land application of food processing wastes has become an acceptable practice because of the nutrient value of the wastes and potential cost savings in their disposal. Spoiled beets and pulp are among the main by-products generated by the sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) processing industry. Farmers commonly land apply these by-products at rates >224 Mg ha(-1) on a fresh weight basis. However, information on nutrient release in soils treated with these by-products and their subsequent impacts on crop yield is lacking. Field studies were conducted to determine the effects of sugar beet by-product application on N release and crop yields over two growing seasons. Treatments in the first year were two rates (224 and 448 Mg ha(-1) fresh weight) of pulp and spoiled beets and a nonfertilized control. In the second year after by-product application, the control treatment was fertilized with N fertilizer and an additional treatment was added as a nonfertilized control in buffer areas. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown in the year of by-product application and sugar beet in the subsequent year. By-product treatments caused a significant reduction in wheat grain yield compared with the control. This was due to a decline in N availability as a result of immobilization. Based on microplots receiving 15N labeled beets, wheat took up <1% of spoiled beet-N (approximately 4.7 kg ha(-1)) during the year of by-product application. In the second cropping year, sugar beet root yields were significantly higher in the fertilized control and by-product treatments than the nonfertilized control. The lack of significant difference in sugar beet yield between the fertilized control and by-product treatments was likely due to the greater availability of N in the second year. Labeled 15N data also showed that the sugar beet crop recovered a 17% of sugar beet-N, an equivalent of 86 kg N ha(-1), during the second cropping year. There was no difference in sugar beet root yield, N uptake, or soil N mineralization during the sugar beet cropping season between the pulp and the spoiled beet treatments at comparable rates of application.

Effects of limited irrigation on root yield and quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

This field study was conducted in order to investigate the yield and quality of sugar beet cv zargan in relation to different irrigation regimes during 2005 at Ardabil conditions. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replicates. In this experiment irrigation regimes were I1 = Irrigation at 13.3 F.C (30% F.C), I2b= Irrigation at 15.5 F.C (50% F.C), I3 = Irrigation at 17.7 F.C (70% F.C) and I4 = Irrigation at 19.9 F.C (90% F.C). Parameters such as root yield (t/ha), leaf yield (t/ha), sugar content (%), Molasses (%), pure sugar content (%), white sugar yield (t/ha), Na (mmol/100 g root), K (mmol/100 g root) were evaluated. Irrigation treatments had a significant effect on sugar yield and its quality. Potassium concentration was not significantly affected by irrigation treatments. Results of irrigation treatments showed that the optimum soil water content for root yield is 70% of field capacity with 78.5 t/ha. The minimum root yield (52.5 t/ha) was observed at 90% of field capacity. Irrigation at 30, 50 and 70% of field capacity (I1, I2 and I3) had same effect on sugar content while sugar content decreased at 90% field capacity (I4). When the available soil water content was at 70% of field capacity, maximum root yield and quality was observed. Key word: Beta vulgaris, irrigation, root yield, sugar quality.

Response of root yield and quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) to salt stress

Response of root yield and quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) to salt stress

Pronamide Effects on Physiology and Yield of Sugar Beet

Field experiments were conducted in northern Greece during 2001 and repeated in 2002 and 2004 to evaluate the effects of pronamide on sugar beet. Total leaf area, leaf area index (LAI), leaf and root dry weights, photosynthetic yield (quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in photosystem II), chlorotic index, and yield components of sugar beet were monitored after pronamide application. Three sugar beet cultivars, ‘Avantage’, ‘Dorothea’, and ‘Bianca’, requiring short, intermediate, and long vegetative periods, respectively, were subjected to treatment. Pronamide was applied on sugar beet either as a double application of 0.63 kg ai ha−1at the two- to four-leaf and 0.63 kg ai ha−1at the four- to six-leaf stage or as a single application of 1.26 kg ai ha−1performed at the latter leaf stage. Both application procedures were combined with a split application of phenmedipham at 0.04 kg ai ha−1plus desmedipham at 0.04 kg ai ha−1plus metamitron at 0.70 kg ai ha−1plus ethofumesate at 0.10 kg ai ha−1plus mineral oil at 0.50 L ha−1applied POST at the cotyledon–to–two-leaf as well as at the four-leaf growth stages. Pronamide (both single and double application) initially caused chlorosis and reduction of sugar beet growth. LAI and photosynthetic yield were also significantly affected for a 2-mo period following the final application, after which the negative effects caused by pronamide were ameliorated. At harvest, sugar beet root and sugar yield, sucrose, K+, Na+, and N-amino acid concentrations were not affected by the herbicide treatments compared with those produced in weed-free and herbicide-free plots, indicating that all cultivars managed to overcome the transient pronamide stress. Regarding sugar beet cultivars, root and sugar yield of Avantage and Dorothea at harvest were higher than that of Bianca, whereas sucrose concentration of Avantage was the lowest. There was not an apparent relationship between the order of sugar yield per cultivar (Dorothea &gt; Avantage &gt; Bianca) and the length of the vegetative period (Avantage &lt; Dorothea &lt; Bianca).

Effects of Sowing Date and Limited Irrigation on Root Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Effects of Sowing Date and Limited Irrigation on Root Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Reduced water consumption of dormant-seeded sugar beet in a semiarid climate

Dormant seeding refers to sowing spring crop species in fall. In the spring, seedlings start growing and the crop is established before spring sowing is normally completed. A dormant-seeded crop can establish quickly in spring and may escape from early season drought. A study was conducted to compare performances of dormant seeding with early and late spring seeding of sugar beet. Field experiments were carried out in the Khorasn province (NE of Iran) in 2002 and 2003 by growing a bolting resistant variety (BR1). The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design with four replications. Dormant seeding was subjected to six irrigation treatments in addition to an early and late spring seeding. The first irrigation was applied 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days after 60% soil moisture depletion. After harvest, root yield, sugar concentration, white sugar yield, and non-sugar components of the root samples were measured and analyzed. The results of the dormant seeding showed that root yield of sugar beet decreased with increasing delay of irrigation at the early stages of plant growth. High white sugar yield was obtained at dormant seeding without irrigation delay compared to the early seeding. No significant differences were observed for white sugar yield until three and five water withholdings in 2002 and 2003, respectively. In the second year of the experiment (2003), a relatively cold winter induced about 4.5% bolters and reduced plant population with 33% compared to the early and late spring sowing treatments. In general, white sugar yield produced in response to specific irrigation amounts for dormant-seeded treatments was higher compared to early and late seeding. However, dormant seeding cannot yet be recommended as a comprehensive agricultural practice for sugar beet and, therefore, further investigations are required to improve the quality of the beet by both agronomic techniques and new improved varieties.

Influence of fertilization and nitrate-nitrogen position in soil profile on the sugar beet root yield and quality

Researches, which have lasted for two years, were carried out on long-term trial field at Rimski Sancevi, Novi Sad, Serbia. In this trial, the eight fertilization variants of N, P2O5 and K2O increased amounts were studied. Sugar beet root and tops yields were determined, as well as the elements of technological sugar beet root quality. Based on these results, percentage of sugar utilization and refined sugar yield was defined. In the spring, before applying of N fertilizer, amount of nitrate nitrogen in the soil and its influence on yield and quality was determined. The highest root yield in 2002 was produced at the variant N100 P150 K150, and in 2003 at the variant N150 P150 K150. However, in both years, referring to the variant N100 P100 K100, the differences were not statistically significant. Increasing of nitrogen amounts had negative effects on refined sugar yield. Amounts of NO3-N in the soil in spring, before sugar beet sowing, in 2002 had significant influence on root yield and refined sugar yield. In the year 2003, which was highly dry, high correlation ratio were gained between amounts of NO3-N in the soil and root quality parameters, but it wasn't significant between nitrogen amounts and root and refined sugar yield.

Effects of limited irrigation on root yield and quality of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L. )

This field study was conducted in order to investigate the yield and quality of sugar beet cv zargan in relation to different irrigation regimes during 2005 at Ardabil conditions. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replicates. In this experiment irrigation regimes were I1 = Irrigation at 13.3 F.C (30% F.C), I2b= Irrigation at 15.5 F.C (50% F.C), I3 = Irrigation at 17.7 F.C (70% F.C) and I4 = Irrigation at 19.9 F.C (90% F.C). Parameters such as root yield (t/ha), leaf yield (t/ha), sugar content (%), Molasses (%), pure sugar content (%), white sugar yield (t/ha), Na (mmol/100 g root), K (mmol/100 g root) were evaluated. Irrigation treatments had a significant effect on sugar yield and its quality. Potassium concentration was not significantly affected by irrigation treatments. Results of irrigation treatments showed that the optimum soil water content for root yield is 70% of field capacity with 78.5 t/ha. The minimum root yield (52.5 t/ha) was observed at 90% of field capacity. Irrigation at 30, 50 and 70% of field capacity (I1, I2 and I3) had same effect on sugar content while sugar content decreased at 90% field capacity (I4). When the available soil water content was at 70% of field capacity, maximum root yield and quality was observed.

Produtividade da beterraba e rúcula em função da época de plantio em monocultivo e consórcio

Avaliou-se os rendimentos das culturas da beterraba e da rúcula em função de épocas de plantio e sistemas solteiro e consorciado, em Mossoró, de janeiro a março de 2005. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos casualizados com nove tratamentos em quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram dos consórcios da beterraba com rúcula estabelecidos aos 0, 7, 14 e 21 dias após a semeadura da beterraba, monocultura da beterraba e as monoculturas da rúcula, nas mesmas épocas de estabelecimento dos cultivos consorciados. A semeadura da rúcula e beterraba realizada na mesma época proporcionaram maior massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e produtividade de rúcula, sendo respectivamente, de 50,19 g/planta; 5,86 g/planta e 1338,47 g/m². Já para a beterraba, independentemente da época de semeadura, o monocultivo foi superior ao consórcio na produção de massa fresca e de raízes. Os maiores índices de uso eficiente da terra foram obtidos no sistema de consórcio quando a semeadura da rúcula foi realizada no mesmo período (2,0) e aos sete dias (1,9) após a semeadura da beterraba.

Advantages of auxin analogues as plant growth and productivity regulators

The possibility of regulating productivity of potato plants by applying the promising analogues of auxin compounds TA-12, TA-59, LN-14, LN-16 has been proved experimentally. The compounds at optimal concentrations (TA-12 1.0, TA-59 0.5, LN-14 and LN-16 1.0 kg/ha) were found to activate the process of tuber formation, increasing the number of tubers and accumulation of assimilates in tubers. TA-12 is characterised by the highest activity: it increased the productivity of potato (~ 6.0 t/ha) as well as sugar-beet root yield (~3.0 t/ha) and sucrose content (~1.1). TA-12 is supposed to affect plant cell through the IAA receptory system.

Effect of bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and low fungicide dose seed treatments on parasite fungus Aphanomyces cochlioides and sugar beet yield and quality

Effect of sugar beet seed inoculation with a bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and treatment by fungicides Thiram&amp;nbsp;42-S and Dithane S-60 with and without seed inoculation aiming to control Aphanomyces cochlioides &amp;ndash; root decay agent was studied. The trial lasted for three years on two soil types (Mollic Gleysols and Eutric Cambisols). The following parameters of sugar beet yield and quality were investigated: root yield, sugar content, sugar in molasses, sugar yield as well as percentage of the infected and decayed plants as a consequence of parasite fungus infestation. The highest average sugar beet root yield was obtained in the variant of the seed treated with fungicide Thiram 42-S and inoculated with bacterium P. fluorescens (85.15 t/ha). However, there were no statistically significant differences (P &amp;lt; 0.05) between the above-mentioned variant and the one with seed inoculated only with bacterium P. fluorescens (84.63 t/ha). The highest mean sugar content of 16.39% was also accomplished during the three-year investigation in the variant of the inoculated seed treated by fungicide Thiram 42-S. All other variants accomplished statistically very significantly lower values of this parameter. The same variant was characterized by the highest mean sugar yield value (12.79 t/ha) on both soil types. Namely, an average sugar yield of the variants inoculated with bacteria was 11.22 t/ha and by 44.22% higher compared to an average yield of non-inoculated variants. The highest percent of the infected and decayed plants (average value on both soil types in the three year investigation) was reported in the control variant (28.92% infected and 25.00% decayed plants) whereas the lowest one was detected in the variant of the seed inoculated with bacterium P. fluorescens in combination with low dose of fungicide Thiram 42-S (4.70% infected plants and 2.88% decayed plants). An average percent of the infected plants inoculated with bacterium P.&amp;nbsp;fluorescens was 9.13% whereas the aforesaid value of the plants infected with parasitic fungus A. cochlioides in non-inoculated variants was by 146.00% higher being 22.42%.

Effect of Soil Sample Density on Nitrogen Application Maps and Sugar Beet Root Yield and Quality

Production of high‐quality sugar beets requires precise nitrogen (N) fertilizer management with N recommendations based on a measurement of residual nitrate‐N to 120 cm (4 ft) soil depth. The objective of this study was to determine the agronomic and economic aspects of using different grid cell sizes for sampling soil nitrate‐N. A 5‐ha field (12.4 acre) was soil sampled for nitrate‐N using 18.3×18.3 m grid cells in 1997 and 1998. Nitrogen application maps for four different grid cell sizes 18.3×18.3 m (60×60 ft), 54.9×54.9 m (180×180 ft), 91.4×91.4 m (300×300 ft), and 128×128 m (420×420 ft) were developed from these soil samples and compared with a conventional average for each field. The five nitrogen fertilizer treatments adjusted for grid cell size were applied with a fertilizer truck equipped with a variable rate applicator in two replicates of 274‐m long strips. Sugar beet quality was determined on root samples taken immediately before root harvest on a 18.3×18.3 grid. Root yield was determined with a conventional harvester equipped with a yield monitor. The nitrogen fertilizer application maps derived from the 54.9×54.9 m, 91.4×91.4 m, and 128×128 m soil sampling grids were similar in 1997. The application map derived from 18.3×18.3 m grid cell size was different from the application maps derived from larger grid cell sizes. Although there were differences in N application maps, there were no differences in root yield, root quality, or recoverable sucrose among grid cell sizes or constant rate applications in either 1997 or 1998.

Late Season Redroot Pigweed Control in Sugarbeet with Over-the-Top Glyphosate

The benefits and risks of carefully applying glyphosate to large redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) plants without contacting sugarbeet were evaluated. Glyphosate applied to redroot pigweed growing in close association with sugarbeet reduced or tended to reduce sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) root yield and extractable sucrose yield when compared to handweeding. Glyphosate injury to sugarbeet was observed despite careful application and plastic bagging of redroot pigweed to prevent the herbicide from dripping onto sugarbeet during or following application. Results suggested that sugarbeet injury was caused by movement of glyphosate from roots of treated redroot pigweed to roots of untreated sugarbeet.

Varietal and environmental influence on the yield and the end-use quality of sugar beet

Environmental factor (location) influenced sugar beet root yield, which was higher by 20.6% on Belgrade location than on Pancevo location. However, when compared the genotype effect, smaller environmental influence was found for root yield, which was not expected. The investigated factors (variety and location) equally contributed to the variation in root sugar content. Significantly higher varietal influence was observed for granulated sugar yield, which was also unexpected. .

Repeated Reduced Rates of Broadleaf Herbicides in Combination with Methylated Seed Oil for Postemergence Weed Control in Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris)1

Field trials were conducted at five sites from 2001 through 2003 to determine the influence on sugarbeet and weeds of repeated broadcast and banded reduced rates of desmedipham plus phenmedipham, triflusulfuron, and clopyralid in combination with either 1.5 or 3% v/v methylated seed oil (MSO). Desmedipham plus phenmedipham, triflusulfuron, and clopyralid were applied POST three times at 5 to 7 d intervals at either 25, 50, 75, or 100% of a 180 plus 180 plus 18 plus 100 g ai/ha dosage (full rate). When averaged over all herbicide rates, crop injury was 6% greater, but common lambsquarters control was 5% higher, and crop yield was 15% greater with broadcast compared with banded herbicide application. In most situations, adding MSO at 3% rather than 1.5% did not improve weed control. Sugarbeet injury was lowest (11%) and the average weed control was 86% when herbicide rates (with 1.5% MSO) were 25% of the full rate (microrate). Applying an herbicide rate (with 1.5% MSO) that was 50% of the full rate (half rate) increased crop injury from 11% with the microrate to 18% with the half rate and elevated average weed control from 86% with the microrate to 92% with the half rate. Common lambsquarters control increased from 81% with the microrate to 89% with the half rate. Sugarbeet root yield was 23 t/ha when no herbicide was used, 48 t/ha with the microrate, and 49 t/ha with the half rate compared with 54 t/ha when the full rate was applied without MSO. Increasing herbicide rates to 75% of the full rate (three-quarter rate) (with 1.5% MSO) increased crop injury to 27% and average weed control to 96%. Applying 1.5% MSO to the full rate increased crop injury to 35% with no improvement in average weed control over that achieved with the full rate without MSO.Nomenclature: Clopyralid; desmedipham; phenmedipham; triflusulfuron; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. #3 CHEAL; sugarbeet, Beta vulgaris L. ‘Beta 1775’, ‘Beta 4546’, ‘HM1639RZ’.Additional index words: Adjuvants, crop tolerance, crop yield.Abbreviations: DAT, days after treatment; full rate, desmedipham plus phenmedipham, triflusulfuron, and clopyralid at 180 plus 180 plus 18 plus 100 g/ha; half rate, desmedipham plus phenmedipham, triflusulfuron, and clopyralid at 90 plus 90 plus 9 plus 50 g/ha; microrate, desmedipham plus phenmedipham, triflusulfuron, and clopyralid at 45 plus 45 plus 4.5 plus 25 g/ha; MSO, methylated seed oil; three-quarters rate, desmedipham plus phenmedipham, triflusulfuron, and clopyralid at 135 plus 135 plus 13.5 plus 75 g/ha.

Sugar beet and barley yields in relation to inoculation with N2-fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacteria

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in bioorganic fertilizers as part of sustainable agricultural practices to alleviate drawbacks of intensive farming practices. N2-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria are important in plant nutrition increasing N and P uptake by the plants, and playing a significant role as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in the biofertilization of crops. A study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of two N2-fixing (OSU-140 and OSU-142) and a strain of P-solubilizing bacteria (M-13) in single, dual and three strains combinations on sugar beet and barley yields under field conditions in 2001 and 2002. The treatments included: (1) Control (no inoculation and fertilizer), (2) Bacillus OSU-140, (3) Bacillus OSU-142, (4) Bacillus M-13, (5) OSU-140 + OSU-142, (6) OSU-140 + M-13, (7) OSU-142 + M-13, (8) OSU-140 + OSU-142 + M-13, (9) N, (10) NP. N and NP plots were fertilized with 120 kg N ha−1 and 120 kg N ha−1 + 90 kg P ha- for sugar beet and 80 kg N ha−1 and 80 kg N ha−1 + 60 kg P ha−1 for barley. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with five replicates. All inoculations and fertilizer applications significantly increased leaf, root and sugar yield of sugar beet and grain and biomass yields of barley over the control. Single inoculations with N2-fixing bacteria increased sugar beet root and barley yields by 5.6–11.0% depending on the species while P-solubilizing bacteria alone gave yield increases by 5.5–7.5% compared to control. Dual inoculation and mixture of three bacteria gave increases by 7.7–12.7% over control as compared with 20.7–25.9% yield increases by NP application. Mixture of all three strains, dual inoculation of N2-fixing OSU-142 and P-solubilizing M-13, and/or dual inoculation N2-fixing bacteria significantly increased root and sugar yields of sugar beet, compared with single inoculations with OSU-140 or M-13. Dual inoculation of N2-fixing Bacillus OSU-140 and OSU-142, and/or mixed inoculations with three bacteria significantly increased grain yield of barley compared with single inoculations of OSU-142 and M-13. In contrast with other combinations, dual inoculation of N2-fixing OSU-140 and P-solubilizing M-13 did not always significantly increase leaf, root and sugar yield of sugar beet, grain and biomass yield of barley compared to single applications both with N2-fixing bacteria. The beneficial effects of the bacteria on plant growth varied significantly depending on environmental conditions, bacterial strains, and plant and soil conditions.

Redstem Filaree Control in Sugarbeets with Micro-rate Herbicide Treatments

Field experiments were conducted at the University of Wyoming Powell Research and Extension Center to evaluate redstem filaree control and sugarbeet response to several herbicide treatments. Preplant herbicides used were ethofumesate and pyrazon applied alone or in combination. Postemergence herbicides included desmedipham-phenmedipham-ethofumesate plus triflusulfuron plus clopyralid at various application rates and timings. A standard postemergence treatment was compared with a micro-rate system, which included 1.5% methylated seed oil. Redstem filaree control was influenced by number and time of applications. Treatments applied at cotyledon stage provided better control than those applied at 2-leaf sugarbeet stage. Redstem filaree control increased as the number of applications increased. With or without preplant herbicides, four sequential applications using micro-rate provided more than 90% redstem filaree control. Micro-rate treatments with methylated seed oil adjuvant were significantly superior to standard treatments in controlling redstem filaree. There was no significant difference in redstem filaree control between treatments containing preplant herbicides and those without, suggesting that preplant herbicides may not be necessary. Preplant herbicides followed by standard rate postemergence treatments showed more injury than those followed by micro-rate treatments. Sugarbeet root yield was higher in treated plots than in the untreated check and was closely related to both redstem filaree control and sugarbeet injury. Sugar content was not affected by any of the herbicide treatments. With or without preplant herbicides, four sequential micro-rate applications provided significantly higher yields than standard postemergence treatments.

INFLUENCE OF YEAR AND ATONIK APPLICATION ON VARIABILITY OF SUGAR BEET ROOT YIELD AND DIGESTION

In 1998 and 1999 the effect of weather conditions and different doses of Atonik application on sugar beet root yield and digestion (cultivar Ranger) were studied in the field trial. The trial results confirmed statistically high significant effect of trial year weather conditions on above mentioned parameters. Comparing received results in the year 1998 to results in 1999 we found out lower root yield (- 7,6 t.ha-1) and digestion (- 0,2 t.ha-1) comparing with year 1999. We found out a significant effect of Atonik on root yield (+6,73 t.ha-1, rel.12,56 %) and digestion (+ 0,6 °S,rel. 3,71 %) on the variant C (Atonik treatment) comparing to values of control variant. In general we can evaluate the effect of Atonik application as high significant.

The response of sugar beet to drip and low-pressure sprinkler irrigation in southern Italy

Scarce water resources frequently limit crop production in semi-arid lands. Drip irrigation may constitute a method for sagacious management of water resources, but there is still limited information on its use for sugar beet crop in Mediterranean environments. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of irrigation on sucrose accumulation and root yield, as well as on sugar beet physiological responses, and to compare drip and low-pressure sprinkler (high efficiency) irrigation performances for sugar quality. As the main scope of the study was to give indications to allow water saving, the comparison focused on the best irrigation method when a similar amount of water was applied. Sugar beets were grown in an experimental field site in southern Italy (Molise Region) for two consecutive growing seasons (1999/2000 and 2000/2001). The water applied ranged from 50, 75, and 100% of the estimated evapotranspiration (ET); unirrigated sugar beets were taken as control plants. In both years, harvest was completed in two periods. Increasing volume of water replaced was advantageous for crop performances, and yield and physiological responses of sugar beets drip irrigated with 75% of estimated ET matched in most cases those of low-pressure sprinkler irrigated with 100% of estimated ET, resulting in potential 25% of water volume saving. In general, drip irrigation influenced positively many of the considered physiological and technological parameters, as compared to low-pressure sprinkler irrigation. Differences in root production and sugar quality between the two harvest periods were not significant. Results indicate that (1) increasing the amount of water applied gives benefits in terms of sugar beet root yield and sucrose accumulation, (2) drip irrigation (even applied every-other-furrow) appears to be consistently advantageous with respect to low-pressure sprinkler irrigation for sugar beet performances in semi-arid environments, (3) there are indications that suggest sugar beet growers should harvest in advance (of traditional harvest dates).