Insect Pests Infestation, Productivity and Quality of Sugar Beet as Influence by Nitrogen, Potassium and Trace Elements Fertilizers

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at Sakha agricultural farm, Kafer El-Sheikh Governorate Egypt, during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons, to study the impact of nitrogen in three rates 60, 80 and 100 kg N fed-1 , potassium with the rate of 24, 36 and 48 kg K 2 O fed-1 as soil application and, a mixture of three trace nutrients i.e. Zinc (1g/L), Manganese (1g/L) and Fe (2g/L) as a foliar application on insect infestation, yield and quality of sugar beet. The obtained results revealed that the infestation by beet fly, tortoise beetles and beet moth increased gradually and significantly by increasing nitrogen rate from 60 to 100 kg N fed-1. Further, increasing potassium fertilization caused significant reduction in insect infestation. Moreover, foliar application of the used mixture of trace elements significantly reduced infestation beet by P. mixta. At the same time, insignificant reduction on the other two pests has been detected. However, individual root specification, root yield, sugar yield, sucrose and purity were maximized corresponding to 80 kg N fed-1. More nitrogen application decreased all the studied traits except top yield and TSS. On the other hand, increasing potassium fertilizer from 24 up to 48 kg K 2 O fed-1 positively enhanced root diameter, root length, root weight, root, top, sugar yields/fed. and TSS. Nevertheless, sucrose and purity were maximized as potassium fertilized added at the rate of 36 Kg K 2 O fed-1. Moreover, foliar application of trace elements significantly improved all beet productivity characteristics and quality traits. To conclude that fertilizing beet plants with 80 kg N fed-1 , 36 kg K 2 O fed-1 with sprayed the mixture of trace elements maximizing yield and quality of sugar beet and had negative impact on pests under study.