ABSTRACT
Two field trials were carried out during two successive seasons of
2018/2019 and 2019/2020 at farmer's field, Tamiya, (latitude of 29.58o
N, longitude of 30.96o E and altitude of 34 m above sea level), Al
Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, to evaluate the performance of eight sugar
beet varieties under four levels of compost (without, 2, 4, and 6 ton /fed)
in saline soil. A split-plot design with three replications was used in both
seasons. The results revealed that treating the soil with 6-ton compost/fed
significantly increased root diameter, root fresh weight/plant, sucrose and
extractable sugar percentages, sodium content, root and sugar yields/fed
as well as alpha-amino N content decreased in both seasons. Meantime,
the proline, potassium, sodium contents and sugar lost to molasses%
were insignificantly affected by compost levels in 1st season and the
second one. Indira-KWS mono-germ variety exhibited superiority over
the all other tested varieties, which recorded the highest values of root
diameter, root fresh weight/plant, sucrose%, root and sugar yields/fed as
well a significant decrease in proline content in both seasons. While, both
mono-germ Carma variety and multi-germ Shrb 21802 variety had the
lowest value of sodium content without significant difference between
them in both seasons, compared with the other varieties. There was a
highly significant and positive correlation between root yield and each
root diameter and root weight. The genotype by trait (GT) biplot graph
was used to compare varieties based on multiple traits. It proved to be a
reliable and easy-to-interpret analysis and visualization of the results.
interpret analysis and visualization of the results. Under conditions of this
work, planting mono-germ variety (Indira-KWS) and fertilized it with 6-
ton compost/fed can be recommended to get the higher root and sugar
yields/fed under saline soil condition.