Two field experiments were carried out at Kafr El-Hamam Research Station, Zagazig district, Sharkia Governorate, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons to study the effect of planting systems (manual sowing and mechanical transplanting), plant densities (46000, 35000 and 28000 plants/fed) and nitrogen fertilizer levels (40, 60 and 80 kg N/fed) on yield and its components as well as quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. Plino.
The obtained results could be summarized as follows:
1-Mechanical transplanting system of sugar beet significantly surpassed the traditional sowing method (manual) in all studied characters and resulted in the highest values in both seasons.
2-Sowing sugar beet plants with low density (28000 plants/fed) recorded the highest values of root length and diameter, root and top fresh weights and TSS % in both seasons. While, sowing sugar beet plants with high density (46000 plants/fed) resulted in the highest values of sucrose and apparent purity percentages in both seasons. However, the highest yields of root and sugar were achieved as a result of sowing sugar beet with intermediate density (35000 plants/fed)in both seasons.
3-Fertilizing sugar beet plants with 80 kg N/fed significantly increased yields and its components as well as TSS % and markedly recorded the highest values in both seasons. Nitrogen fertilizer at the level of 60 kg N/fed produced the highest values of sucrose and apparent juice purity percentages in both seasons.
From the obtained results in this study, it can be concluded that sowing sugar beet using mechanical transplanting system with intermediate density (35000 plants/fed) and mineral fertilizing with 80 kg N/fed could be recommended in order to maximize its productivity and quality under the environmental conditions of Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.
Two field experiments were carried out at Kafr El-Hamam Research Station, Zagazig district, Sharkia Governorate, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons to study the effect of planting systems (manual sowing and mechanical transplanting), plant densities (46000, 35000 and 28000 plants/fed) and nitrogen fertilizer levels (40, 60 and 80 kg N/fed) on yield and its components as well as quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. Plino.
The obtained results could be summarized as follows:
1-Mechanical transplanting system of sugar beet significantly surpassed the traditional sowing method (manual) in all studied characters and resulted in the highest values in both seasons.
2-Sowing sugar beet plants with low density (28000 plants/fed) recorded the highest values of root length and diameter, root and top fresh weights and TSS % in both seasons. While, sowing sugar beet plants with high density (46000 plants/fed) resulted in the highest values of sucrose and apparent purity percentages in both seasons. However, the highest yields of root and sugar were achieved as a result of sowing sugar beet with intermediate density (35000 plants/fed)in both seasons.
3-Fertilizing sugar beet plants with 80 kg N/fed significantly increased yields and its components as well as TSS % and markedly recorded the highest values in both seasons. Nitrogen fertilizer at the level of 60 kg N/fed produced the highest values of sucrose and apparent juice purity percentages in both seasons.
From the obtained results in this study, it can be concluded that sowing sugar beet using mechanical transplanting system with intermediate density (35000 plants/fed) and mineral fertilizing with 80 kg N/fed could be recommended in order to maximize its productivity and quality under the environmental conditions of Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.