Sugar Beet Root Yield and Quality with Leaf Seasonal Dynamics in Relation to Planting Densities and Nitrogen Fertilization

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the seasonal dynamics of sugar beet leaf and root yield and quality in different plant populations and the nitrogen fertilization rate. The field trials were set as four different planting densities (60,000 to 140,000 plants ha−1) and three different spring nitrogen fertilization rates: no fertilization, pre-sowing (45 kg ha−1 N), and pre-sowing with top dressing (99 kg ha−1 N in 2014 and 85.5 kg ha−1 N in 2015. The changes of leaf growth were done measuring leaf area (LA), leaf area index (LAI), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf area ratio (LAR). The highest LAI in 2014 was determined on 30 July at 140,000 plants ha−1 (9.35 m2 m−1) and in 2015 on 20 June at 100,000 plants ha−1 (4.83 m2 m−2). In both years, the SLA and LAR was highest at the end of May. In relation to plant density, higher plant densities had on average the highest root yield, sucrose content, and white sugar yield. In both years, pre-sowing with top dressing spring nitrogen fertilization resulted in the highest root (95.0 t ha−1) and white sugar yield (11.4 t ha−1), whereas the highest sucrose content was after pre-sowing fertilization (14.9%).

1 Effect of plant spacing on growth and yield formation of sugar beet taproot

“…These results were consistent with those of Sogut and Arioğlu (2004). Varga et al, (2020) and Varga et al, (2021) also proposed similar experimental results. Sugar beet with densities of 100000 plants/ha and 140000 plants/ha, or no less than 100000 plants/ha, both had higher yield and quality.…”

Impact of Compost Tea and Spirulina platensis Algae on Sugar Beet Grown under Different Levels of Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer

“…The obtained increase in sugar yield by adding 120 kg N/fed (Table 4) may be referred to as the increase in root yield/fed (Table 3), which compensated for the decrease in sucrose percentage. In line with these results, Varga et al 29 proved that application of 99 kg N/ha produced maximum root and sugar yields haG 1 , versus a reduction in sucrose content. This trend supports the collected results in Table 3 and 4.…”

Additional Chelated Iron and Organic Amendment Influence on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet under Various Plant Populations

“…Also, the distinct effect of 20 and 25 cm distances on LAI is mainly due to the favorable climatic conditions especially the light intensity which accelerated vegetative growth, formation of good canopy capable to increase LAI. Conversely, Varga et al (2021) found that the highest LAI was obtained with the higher plant densities i.e. 140000 and 100000 plants/ha than 60000 plants/ha.…”

“…However, an insignificant difference among sowing hills i.e.15, 20 and 25 cm were found in their influence on impurities content, purity% and sucrose%. Varga et al (2021) found that the highest values of LAI, root and white sugar yields/ha were obtained when the beet plant densities were 140000 and 100000 plants/ha, in the 1 st and 2 nd season, respectively, than 60000 plants/ha.…”