Evaluation of some sugar beet varieties under different levels of nitrogen and molybdenum fertilization

Abstract EN

Two field experiments were conducted at Tamiya, El-Fayoum Governorate during 2006/2007 and 2007 / 2008 seasons to evaluate the six sugar beet varieties viz.

Sumba, Pleno, Toro, Kawemira, Lola and Farida, under different levels of nitrogen and molybdenum fertilization.

Multigame seeds were sown and fertilized with three nitrogen levels of 60, 90 and 120 kg N / fed and two molybdenum levels of 200 and 400 g Mo / fed.

A split-split plot design with three replicates was used in both seasons.

Sugar beet varieties were arranged in the main plots, while nitrogen levels were randomly allocated in the split plots.

Molybdenum levels were distributed in the split-split plots.

The obtained results indicated that the tested sugar beet varieties differed significantly in all studied traits (yields and yield components and juice quality) except for TSS % in both seasons.

Also, insignificant differences were detected among varieties in sugar yield in the 1st season.

Farida variety gave the highest value for root length, root diameter, root weight and root yield, but Sumba variety surpassed the other varieties under study in sugar yield and juice quality parameters (sucrose, TSS and purity %), while it recorded the lowest values of impurities (Na, K and a-amino N %).

On the other hand Lola variety came second in sugar yield and quality parameters (sucrose, TSS and purity %).

Yields and yield components and juice quality were significantly affected by nitrogen application level.

Increasing nitrogen levels up to 120 kg N/fed increased significantly root yield and its components, Na, K, and a-amino N in both seasons.

However, purity, sucrose and TSS % decreased gradually and significantly.

Appling 90 kg N/fed was enough to produce the highest sugar yield/fed.

Increasing molybdenum level from 200 to 400 g/fed significantly increased yield and its components in both seasons.

On the other hand, the applied molybdenum levels insignificantly affected juice quality.

Sowing the two varieties Sumba and Lola in Tamiya, El-Fayoum governorate fertilized with 90 kg N/fed and foliar application with molybdenum at 400 g Mo/fed can be concluded to produce the highest sugar yield/fed.