The present investigation was carried out at Agriculture Research Station
and Animal Production Research Institute Gemmieza, Gharbia Governorate during
1998/1999 and 1999/2000 seasons to study the response of fodder beet (Beta
vulgaris) to potassium fertilizer rates (0, 25, 50 and 75 kgKOz/fed) and its utilization in
feeding sheep. The obtained data revealed that growth characters of fodder beet
plants (root length), dry forage yields and forage quality (crude protein, curde fiber.
and ash yields/fed) increased with increasing of potassium fertilizer up to 50 kg/fed.
While, root diameter and fresh forage yields increased at the rate of 25 kgKzO/fed. As a results of potassium fertilizer up to 50 kg/fed dry matter intake (OM I)
and digestible crude protein (OCP) and chemical composition of crude protein (CP),
ether extract (EE) and ash% were higher when compared with those of other
treatments. Total dry matter intake by sheep was significantiy higher at 75 kg KzOifed
compared with other treatments level. Fresh beet roots treated with highest level of K
fertilizer are more palatability by sheep. Increasing the leve! of K fertilizer up to
25 Kg/fed improved OM, OM, CP and CF digestibility. Nutritive value and feed units
intake [(TON) and (SE)] increased at the rate of 25 kg K20/fed.