Study of autumn sowing of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. ) in Fasa area

Abstract

To investigate the possibility of autumn sowing of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in prone areas of Fars province, a study was con-ducted in split split plot design with randomized complete block design arrangement in four replications for three years starting from 2005 in Fasa region. The treatments consisted of three sowing dates including 27th September, 17th October, and 6th Novem-ber in main plots, two cultivars viz. multi-germ BR1 and mono-germ Rasoul in split plots, and three harvest dates including 30th April, 26th May, and 20th June in split split plots. During the growing season, different traits including plant number, bolted plants, missing plants and the growth score were recorded. At harvest, after counting the root number and weighing, brie sample was prepared for sugar content, impurities (potassium, sodium, and amino N) and molasses sugar determination. The results showed that sowing date treatments significantly affected bolting percentage (p<0.01). Sowing on 27th September had the highest bolting (18.409%) whereas 17th October and 6th November sowing dates had the loweset bolting percentage by 5.420% and 2.870%, re-spectively. Both cultivars BR1 and Rasoul had no significant difference for bolting percentage, root yield, sugar percentage, and white sugar yield. The highest bolting percentage (9.96%) was related to harvest on 20th June. Higher root (58.486 t/ha) and white sugar (5.36 t/ha) yields were obtained in sowing on 20th June and harvest on 27th September. Due to increased yield of sowing on 27th September and harvest on 20th June, it is recommended to use cultivars resistant to bolting for quality and quantity improve-ment.

Keywords

• autumn sowing
• bolting
• cultivar
• harvest date
• sowing date
• sugar beet