Effect of Different Sowing Dates on Quantity and Quality of Some Promising Sugar Beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) Varieties under North Delta, Condition

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Field Crops Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza , Egypt

2 Water Relations & Irrigation Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

MANY agronomic practices must be need modified to maximize quantity and quality of sugarbeet crop. Two field experiments were sconducted at Belkas town, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, near Dakahlia Sugar Company, during two successive winter seasons 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. A comparative study was conducted to assess the performance and stability of four multigerm sugar beet varieties (Beeta vulgaris L.), i.e. Dema-Poly, Pleno, Glloria and Ras-Poly in relation to three sowing dates, i.e. 1st September, 1st October and 1st November as well as their interaction to select the superior varieties in respect to highest yield and quality with suitable both early and late swing dates. A split-plot design with four replications was used. Results of study revealed that different sowing dates have significant effect on all beet characters. Sowing sugar beet plants at 1st October was significantly associated with the highest yields of root and sugar as well as quality traits in terms of sucrose (S%), purity % and recoverable sugar (R S%). On the other hand, leaf area index (LAI) and top yield ton/fed (fed= 4200m2) significantly decreased with delayed sowing dates. Sowing sugar beet plants at 1st September associated with maximum total soluble solids (T.S.S%) and impurities content, i.e. Na %, K %, α-amino N % as well as sucrose loss to molasses (SLM %) compared with late sowing date. Also, results clearly showed that the variances due to sugar beet varieties were significantly in all studied traits. Ras-Poly variety recorded the highest values of root dimension (cm), root fresh weight (gm/plant), root yield (RY) ton/fed, white sugar yield (WSY) ton/fed, sucrose %, purity % and recoverable sugar (RS%) followed by Dema-poly and Glloria in a descending order in both seasons. While, Glloria variety produced the maximum LAI and top yield (TY) ton/fed. The highest values of impurities content, i.e. Na %, K %, and α-amino-N %, as well as sucrose loss to molasses (SLM%) were recorded with planting Pleno variety on 1st September. Generally, sowing Ras-poly variety at the optimum date on 1st October produced the highest root, white sugar yields and lowest impurities content followed by Dema-poly and Glloria. While, the highest values of LAI and top yield ton/fed were obtained when Glloria variety planted on early date followed by Pleno variety under studied environmental conditions.

Keywords

Main Subjects