Screening sugar beet genotypes under salinity stress in the greenhouse and field conditions

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

1 Instructor of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Esfahan, Iran

2 Assistant professor of Sugar Beet Seed Institute (SBSI) - Karaj, Iran

3 Instructor of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Esfahan, Iran.

Abstract

For optimum utilization of saline soil and water resources, various methods have been proposed. Application of best management practices and selection of salt tolerant cultivars are two important issues. Selection and breeding for salt tolerant cultivars require potential genetic materials, screening and evaluation of them in laboratory and field experiments. Starting in 2000, 80 sugar beet genetic genotypes(Iranian Sugar Beet Seed Institute) were evaluated for salt tolerance in the greenhouse and field conditions. Each year 20 genotypes consisting of multigerm, diploid, tetrapolid, Otype and monogerm genotypes were evaluated in the greenhouse condition using split plot based on randomized complet block design with two replications, treated with 8, 16 and 24 ds/m irrigation water. The germination- rate was determined after 4 to 5 weeks and the genotypes were classified for salt tolerance.In another experiment, the genotypes were evaluated in two separate randomized complete block design with four replications, in Roudasht Agricultural Salinity Station in the field condition using 8 and 12 ds/m water for irrigation in a soil with initial ECe of 8±1 and 12±1 ds/m, respectively. At the end of growing season, traits such as root yield, sugar content, and sugar yield were determined. At the end of four years, data were pooled and the genotypes were evaluated based on Salt Stress Tolerance Index. To minimize the effect of year and environment, the relative amounts were calculated for each year yield and some quality traits. The results of greenhouse trials showed that there were significant difference for germination rate among genotyes only in 2001. Based on field experiments, there were significant differences among genotypes for root yield, sugar content and white sugar content in 8 ds/m or 12ds/m or both levels. Results showed that the most proper level for evaluating genotypes in the field conditions was 12ds/m. On the basis of STI, genotypes  9671-P.11, 9597-P.1 and OTYPE 231 for gemination, and  9669-P.24, BP KARADJ, 9671-P.10, BP MASHAD and 9597-P3  for white sugar content were evaluated as tolerant. Among them, BP MASHAD with the highest STI was the best genotype.

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