Document Type : Scientific - Research
Authors
1
Instructor of Sugar Beet Research Department, Weat Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO, Urmia, Iran
2
Instructor of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of West Azarbaijan, Orumieh, Iran
3
Instructor of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of West Azarbaijan, Orumieh, Iran.
4
Sugar Beet Research Department, Weat Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO, Urmia, Iran
Abstract
Water is one of the most important restrictive factors in crop production. Therefore, optimum use of water resources in line with sustainable agriculture is mandatory. In this research the effects of different amounts of allowed soil water depletion at various growth stages of root sugar beet and its effect on qualitative and quantitative characters of the crop were studied. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks in a factorial arrangement with 2 factors and 4 replications. The trial was conducted at Miyandoab Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station, West Azarbaijanfor 2 years (2004-2005). Growth stages of sugar beet (factor A) at four levels included the first (S1), second (S2), third (S3) and fourth (S4) growth stages. Allowed soil water depletion (factor B) at 3 levels 65-70% (I1), 85-90% water depletion (I2) and 45-50% of water depletion (Control, I3) were applied at all growth stages. Different quantitative and qualitative traits of sugar beet and the amount of the water used for each treatment were measured and recorded. The results showed that generally the different growth stages influenced qualitative characteristics of root with less effect on root yield, while water stress (different levels of water depletion) influenced qualitative both and quantitative characteristics of root. Although, water depletion caused low root yield but in some cases due to improvement of qualitative root characteristics and sugar extract, it recompensated for root yield reduction. The greatest WUE, based on root yield, and the lowest WUE belonged to S3I1 (5.42 kgm-3) and S1I2(3.88 kgm-3) treatments, respectively. The greatest WUE, based on white sugare content, and the lowest WUE belonged to S2I3(0.64 kg/m3) and S4I2(0.33 kgm-3), respectively.
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