Sugar Beet Harvests under Modern Climatic Conditions in the Belgorod Region (Southwest Russia)

Abstract

The weather and climate conditions contributing to the energy and water availability during the sugar beet vegetation period within the Belgorod Region were studied. It was found that the sugar beet yield in the region currently depends on the climate at the 15% level. The variability and trends of sugar beet yields and sugar content dynamics correlated with that of the observed during a 60-year period are determined using statistical techniques such as correlation, and regression and time series analysis. The variation for the sugar content (or “sugariness”) over this period as related to the regional weather and climate showed a nonlinear relationship. The sugar content is related inversely to the combined (via the Hydrothermal Coefficient—HTC) influence of precipitation and temperature during the warm season (temperatures between 15 and 20 °C). A decrease (increase) in HTC contributes to an increase (decrease) in the beet sugar content. However, it was noted that during sugar content increases, there is a decrease in the regional sugar beet yield. We can conclude that the increased sugar content of beet in relevant years compensates for the decrease in the yield parameter. Finally, there was a correlation between the regional variability in the sugar content of beets with Bruckner solar cycles and atmospheric teleconnections in that during warm and dry periods, the sugar content increases, and for cold and wet periods is reduced.

Quantity and Quality Changes in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris Provar. Altissima Doel) Induced by Different Sources of Biostimulants

“…The negative relationship between the quantity and quality of production is a wellknown fact in agricultural production [51,52]. Regarding this perspective, different results were found in this experiment.…”

Improving sugar beet yield, quality, and water use efficiency by nursery and transplanting practice under semi‐arid conditions

“…The root yield and quality of sugar beet increased at the second TD compared with the first TD, possibly due to the suitability of micro‐climate factors such as temperature (Tmax and Tmin of TD 30‐April : 22.6 and 8.9°C; Tmax and Tmin of TD 13‐May : 27.4 and 11.5°C) and day length (TD 30‐April : 9.3 h day −1 ; TD 13‐May : 10.1 h day −1 ) during the critical period of sugar beet growth, leading to improved root development and sugar accumulation (July–September) (Lebedeva et al., 2020; Xiao et al., 2021). Hoffmann (2019) reported the difference between day and night temperature, 10 to 15°C, and low night temperatures are also beneficial factors in achieving maximum root and sugar yield.…”

Potential Possibilities of Using Groundwater for Crop Irrigation in the Context of Climate Change

“…Vamerali et al [74] argued that sugar beet is also a field crop well suited for deficit irrigation. The sugar beet yield in years with insufficient water quantity does decrease, but the sugar content in tubers significantly increases [60].…”

“…Air temperature and precipitation are not only the basic elements of the description of climate features but also the meteorological factors that are of greatest importance in agricultural production [60]. Central Europe, including Poland, lies in a temperate climate [10], where the significance of drought is often underestimated [11].…”