Environ Exp Biol (2018) 16: 169–175

Response of sugar beet to irrigation interval, harvesting time and integrated use of farmyard manure and nitrogen fertilizer

Abstract

Considering the importance of interactive effects of irrigation, fertilizer and harvest date this experiment was aimed to study the growth and yield response of spring-sown sugar beet to the harvest date and the application of nitrogen and farmyard manure under two irrigation regimes: well watered and moderate drought stress. Results indicated that irrigation significantly affected taproot growth; moderate drought stress led to an increase in root diameter. Leaf dry weight was increased by the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the well watered condition but decreased under water deficit condition. The combined application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer and 50% farmyard manure resulted in increased root yield by 28 and 32% compared with single application of nitrogen and farmyard manure fertilizers, respectively. Interaction effect of factors showed that under the moderate drought stress and availability of the recommended dose of nitrogen in soil, a late harvest date can be recommended to prevent loss of sugar content in sugar beet roots.