Parametrization of five classical plant growth models applied to sugar beet and comparison of their predictive capacity on root yield and total biomass

The strategy “from farm to fork” assumes a reduction in the usage of fertilizers and plant protection products in EU agriculture. The aim of this study, conducted over the years 2017–2019 in several locations in Poland, is to evaluate the application of growth activators with and without plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to reduce mineral nitrogen fertilization without negative effects on the root yield. We studied the effect of these activators on selected soil properties. The experimental treatments included the application of the growth activators Penergetic (K + P) and Azoter, which contains the bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum brasilense, and Bacillus megaterium, before sowing or during vegetation. The nitrogen rates were reduced by 30% in comparison to full nitrogen mineral fertilization (control treatment). In selected experiments, the application of Penergetic and Penergetic with Azoter caused a higher content of nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3) and ammonium nitrogen (N-NH4) after the sugar beet harvest as well as higher contents of mineral nitrogen (Nmin), P, K, and Mg in the soil in comparison to the treatment with the full dose of mineral nitrogen fertilization. The obtained results proved that it was possible to reduce the mineral application of nitrogen by 30% without a decrease in the biological and pure sugar yield, and even with an increase in the sugar yield caused by the application of the growth activators Penergetic (K + P) and Azoter.

Download Full-text

Early Sowing Combined with Adequate Potassium and Sulfur Fertilization: Promoting Beta vulgaris (L.) Yield, Yield Quality, and K- and S-Use Efficiency in a Dry Saline Environment

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040806 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 806

Author(s):

Ali A. A. Mekdad ◽

Mostafa M. Rady ◽

Esmat F. Ali ◽

Fahmy A. S. Hassan

Keyword(s):

Plant Physiology ◽

Sugar Beet ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Sugar Yield ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Path Coefficient ◽

Root Yield ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Study Results ◽

Positive Direct

Field trials for two seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) were conducted to investigate the influence of the addition of three levels of potassium (K) (K1 = 60, K2 = 120, and K3 = 180 kg K2O ha−1) and/or sulfur (S) (S1 = 175, S2 = 350, and S3 = 525 kg CaSO4 ha−1) to the soil, as well as the sowing date (the 1st of September, D1; or the 1st of October, D2) on the potential improvement of physiology, growth, and yield, as well as the quality characteristics of sugar beet yield under soil salinity conditions. With three replicates specified for each treatment, each trial was planned according to a split-split plot in a randomized complete block design. The results revealed that early sowing (D1) led to significant improvements in all traits of plant physiology and growth, in addition to root, top, and biological yields and their quality, gross and pure sugar, and K- and S-use efficiencies based on root yield (R-KUE and R-SUE). The K3 level (180 kg K2O ha−1) positively affected the traits of plant physiology, growth, yield and quality, and R-SUE, and reduced the attributes of impurities, impurity index, and R-KUE. Additionally, the S3 level (525 kg CaSO4 ha−1) affirmatively affected plant physiology, growth, yield and quality traits, and R-KUE, and decreased impurity traits, impurity index, and R-SUE. The interaction of D1 × K3 × S3 maximized the yield of roots (104–105 ton ha−1) and pure sugar (21–22 ton ha−1). Path coefficient analysis showed that root yield and pure sugar content had positive direct effects with 0.62 and 0.65, and 0.38 and 0.38 in both studied seasons, respectively, on pure sugar yield. Significant (p ≤ 0.01) positive correlations were found between pure sugar yield and root yield (r = 0.966 ** and 0.958 **). The study results recommend the use of the integrative D1 × K3 × S3 treatment for sugar beet to obtain maximum yields and qualities under salt stress (e.g., 8.96 dS m−1) in dry environments.

Download Full-text

Optimizing hydroponic culture media and NO3−/NH4+ ratio for improving essential oil compositions of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.)

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87391-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Ahmadi ◽

Abbas Samadi ◽

Ebrahim Sepehr ◽

Amir Rahimi ◽

Sergey Shabala

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Plant Height ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Echinacea Purpurea ◽

Peat Moss ◽

Root Weight ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Growing Media

AbstractMedicinal plants represent a valuable commodity due to beneficial effects of their natural products on human health, prompting a need for finding a way to optimize/increase their production. In this study, a novel growing media with various perlite particle size and its mixture with peat moss was tested for hydroponic-based production of Echinacea purpurea medicinal plant under greenhouse conditions. The plant growth parameters such as plant height, total fresh leave weight, fresh root weight, total biomass, total chlorophyll, leaf area, and essential oil compositions were assessed. Perlite particle size in the growing media was varied from very coarse (more than 2 mm) to very fine (less than 0.5 mm), and the ratio between perlite and peat moss varied from 50:50 v/v to 30:70 v/v. In addition, two nitrate (NO3−) to ammonium (NH4+) ratios (90:10 and 70:30) were tested for each growing media. The medium containing very fine-grade perlite and 50:50 v/v perlite to peat moss ratio was found to be most optimal and beneficial for E. purpurea performance, resulting in maximal plant height, fresh and dry weight, leaf surface area, and chlorophyll content. It was also found that an increase in NO3−/NH4+ ratio caused a significant increase in plant growth parameters and increase the plant essential oil content. The major terpene hydrocarbons found in extract of E. purpurea with the best growth parameters were germacrene D (51%), myrcene (15%), α-pinene (12%), β-caryophyllene (11%), and 1-Pentadecene (4.4%), respectively. The percentages of these terpene hydrocarbons were increased by increasing of NO3−/NH4+ ratio. It can be concluded that decreasing the perlite particle size and increasing the NO3−/NH4+ ratio increased the plant growth parameters and essential oil compositions in E. purpurea.

Download Full-text

Effect of Azotobacter chroococcum on sugar beet and microbial activity of rhizosphere

Zbornik Matice srpske za prirodne nauke ◽

10.2298/zmspn1018037k ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 37-46

Author(s):

Janja Kuzevski ◽

Nada Milosevic ◽

Sasa Krstanovic ◽

Zora Jelicic

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Soil Microorganisms ◽

Vegetation Period ◽

Mineral Fertilizers ◽

Atmospheric Nitrogen ◽

Root Yield ◽

Almost All ◽

Biological Nitrogen ◽

Number Of Bacteria ◽

Soil Dehydrogenase Activity

In sugar beet production, one of the most important factors that affect the yield, apart from genetic properties, is the use of mineral fertilizers. Considerate amounts of mineral fertilizers are used in sugar beet production. However, if agroecological conditions are not optimum, mineral fertilizers cannot be completely absorbed, which may lead to soil contamination. Therefore, research has been focusing on ways of using atmospheric nitrogen by means of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Numerous researches have proved that one part of mineral fertilizers can be replaced by biological nitrogen. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of genotype, azotobacter and the amount of mineral fertilizers on the root yield of sugar beet and on the microbiological activity of the sugar beet rhizospheric soil. Three hybrids of sugar beet were used during the two years of the research. The seed of the hybrids was inoculated with three strains of azotobacter. Various amounts of NPK were used (0;30;60;90 kg/ha). At the end of the vegetation period, the following were determined: root yield, total number of bacteria, number of azotobacter, oligotrophic bacteria, ammonifiers, fungi, and actinomycetes in soil. Dehydrogenase activity was measured. The results were processed statistically (analysis of variance for factorial trials) and the effect of the factors was determined upon the expected mean square values. The yield was mainly affected by the amount of mineral fertilizers. However, the effect of mineral fertilizers was different with different inoculation treatments. The effect of the examined factors was dependant upon genotype, amount of mineral fertilizers, inoculation and the year of trials. The interaction between genotype, mineral fertilizers, inoculation and the year of trials was the factor that had the greatest effect on the number of almost all the examined soil microorganisms.

Download Full-text

Performance of Ornamental Plants in Alternative Organic Growing Media Amended with Increasing Rates of Expanded Shale

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.20.3.594 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 594-602 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John J. Sloan ◽

Raul I. Cabrera ◽

Peter A.Y. Ampim ◽

Steve A. George ◽

Wayne A. Mackay

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Plant Tissue ◽

Biomass Yield ◽

Organic Materials ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Light Weight ◽

Growing Media ◽

Micronutrient Uptake ◽

Expanded Shale

Organic and inorganic amendments are often used to improve chemical and physical properties of soils. The objective of this study was to determine how the inclusion of light-weight expanded shale in various organic matter blends would affect plant performance. Four basic blends of organic growing media were prepared using traditional or alternative organic materials: 1) 75% pine bark (PB) + 25% sphagnum peatmoss (PM), 2) 50% PB + 50% wastewater biosolids (BS), 3) 100% municipal yard waste compost (compost), and 4) 65% PB + 35% cottonseed hulls (CH). Light-weight expanded shale was then blended with each of these mixtures at rates of 0%, 15%, 30%, and 60% (v/v). Vinca (Catharanthus roseus), verbena (Verbena hybrida), and shantung maple (Acer truncatum) were planted into the growing media after they were transferred into greenhouse pots. Vinca growth was monitored for 3 months before harvesting aboveground plant tissue to determine total biomass yield and elemental composition. Verbena growth was monitored for 6 months, during which time aboveground plant tissue was harvested twice to determine total biomass yield. Additionally, aboveground vinca plant tissue was analyzed for nutrients and heavy metal concentrations. In the absence of expanded shale, verbena and shantung maple trees produced more aboveground biomass in the 50-PB/50-BS blends, whereas vinca grew more biomass in the pure compost blends. Inclusion of expanded shale in the various organic matter blends generally had a negative effect on plant growth, with the exception of shantung maple growth in the 65-PB/35-CH blend. Reduced plant growth was probably due to a lower concentration of nutrients in the growing media. Macro- and micronutrient uptake was generally reduced by addition of expanded shale to the organic growing media. Results suggest that organic materials that have been stabilized through prior decomposition, such as compost or PM, are safe and reliable growing media, but expanded shale offers few benefits to a container growing medium except in cases where additional porosity is needed.

Download Full-text

Effects of Supplemental Cations on Growth and Nitrogen Accumulation in Canna indica L.

Chiang Mai University Journal of Natural Sciences ◽

10.12982/cmujns.2021.075 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Manutsawan Manokieng ◽

◽

Arunothai Jampeetong ◽

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Constructed Wetlands ◽

Nitrate Removal ◽

Nitrogen Accumulation ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Canna Indica ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Stimulate Plant Growth ◽

Plant Level ◽

Mineral Accumulation

Abstract The effects of supplemental cations on growth, nitrogen, and mineral accumulation were assessed in Canna indica L. Similar sized 45 days-old plants were grown on a nutrient solution modified from Hoagland and Arnon (1950). The different cations were added to generate 6 treatments (n=4): (i) control (no cation added), (ii) 2.5 mM K+, (iii) 2.5 mM Ca2+, (iv) 75 mM Na+, (v) 1.25 mM K+ + 1.25 mM Ca2+ and (vi) 2.5 mM Ca2+ + 75 mM Na+, respectively. An experiment was carried out in the greenhouse for 49 days. The study found that supplemental K+ and K++ Ca2+ increased plant growth and total biomass. The highest SER was found in plants receiving supplemental K+. In contrast, SERs, leaf areas, and total biomass decreased in Na+ or Na++Ca2+ supplemented plants. The accumulated NO3- concentration (at the whole plant level) was also highest in the plants with supplemental K+ and K++Ca2+. The total nitrogen accumulation was higher in the K+, Ca2+, and K++Ca2+ supplemented plants than in the control plants. The results suggest that supplemental cations particularly K+ can enhance plant growth and nitrogen accumulation in C. indica. Therefore, cation supplementation could be an alternative technique to stimulate plant growth and improve nitrate removal in constructed wetlands. Keywords: Constructed wetland, Nitrate removal, Potassium, Tropical wetland plants

Download Full-text

Importance of cultivar and harvest date on the yield and processing quality of sugar beet

Acta periodica technologica ◽

10.2298/apt1142123r ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 123-129

Author(s):

Stevan Radivojevic ◽

Jasna Grbic ◽

Rada Jevtic-Mucibabic ◽

Vlada Filipovic

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Sugar Yield ◽

Harvest Date ◽

Processing Quality ◽

Average Increase ◽

Root Yield ◽

Slow Increase ◽

The Third ◽

Similar Tendency

The results assessed from sugar beet microtrials at Kljajicevo (Serbia) in 2010 harvested at three harvest periods demonstrated that the average root yield tended to increase from the first to the third harvest period. The average increase in root yield between the first and the second harvest period was 29.06 t ha-1 or 32.76%, between the second and the third period 14.77 t ha-1 or 12.54% and between the first and the third period 43.83 t ha-1 or 49.40%. In average, the content of sugar in root showed a similar tendency. The highest increase in this parameter was registered between the second and the third harvest period and it amounted to 1.00% abs. Other indicators of sugar beet processing quality showed a slow increase or slight decrease depending on the harvest date, probably due to plentiful rainfall in September. Mean granulated sugar yield had an increasing tendency: 3.413 t ha-1 or 32.82% between the first and the second harvest period, 2.820 t ha-1 or 20.42% between the second and the third and 6.233 t ha-1 or 59.94% between the first and the third period.

Download Full-text

Influence of fertilization and nitrate-nitrogen position in soil profile on the sugar beet root yield and quality

Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade ◽

10.2298/jas0802083j ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 83-90

Author(s):

Goran Jacimovic ◽

Branko Marinkovic ◽

Jovan Crnobarac ◽

Darinka Bogdanovic ◽

Lazar Kovacev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Nitrate Nitrogen ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Sugar Yield ◽

Root Yield ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Beet Root ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Sugar Beet Root ◽

Root Quality

Researches, which have lasted for two years, were carried out on long-term trial field at Rimski Sancevi, Novi Sad, Serbia. In this trial, the eight fertilization variants of N, P2O5 and K2O increased amounts were studied. Sugar beet root and tops yields were determined, as well as the elements of technological sugar beet root quality. Based on these results, percentage of sugar utilization and refined sugar yield was defined. In the spring, before applying of N fertilizer, amount of nitrate nitrogen in the soil and its influence on yield and quality was determined. The highest root yield in 2002 was produced at the variant N100 P150 K150, and in 2003 at the variant N150 P150 K150. However, in both years, referring to the variant N100 P100 K100, the differences were not statistically significant. Increasing of nitrogen amounts had negative effects on refined sugar yield. Amounts of NO3-N in the soil in spring, before sugar beet sowing, in 2002 had significant influence on root yield and refined sugar yield. In the year 2003, which was highly dry, high correlation ratio were gained between amounts of NO3-N in the soil and root quality parameters, but it wasn't significant between nitrogen amounts and root and refined sugar yield.

Download Full-text

Length of Efficacy for Control of Curly Top in Sugar Beet With Seed and Foliar Insecticides

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-02-16-0142-re ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 100 (7) ◽

pp. 1364-1370 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carl A. Strausbaugh ◽

Erik J. Wenninger ◽

Imad A. Eujayl

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Host Resistance ◽

Seed Treatment ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Block Design ◽

Root Yield ◽

Pyrethroid Insecticides ◽

Beet Curly Top Virus ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Untreated Check

Curly top in sugar beet caused by Beet curly top virus (BCTV) is an important yield-limiting disease that can be reduced via neonicotinoid and pyrethroid insecticides. The length of efficacy of these insecticides is poorly understood; therefore, field experiments were conducted with the seed treatment Poncho Beta (clothianidin at 60 g a.i. + beta-cyfluthrin at 8 g a.i. per 100,000 seed) and foliar treatment Asana (esfenvalerate at 55.48 g a.i./ha). A series of four experiments at different locations in the same field were conducted in 2014 and repeated in a neighboring field in 2015, with four treatments (untreated check, Poncho Beta, Asana, and Poncho Beta + Asana) which were arranged in a randomized complete block design with eight replications. To evaluate efficacy, viruliferous (contain BCTV strains) beet leafhoppers were released 8, 9, 10, or 11weeks after planting for each experiment, which corresponded to 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after Asana application. Over both years, in 30 of 32 observation dates for treatments with Poncho Beta and 14 of 16 observation dates for Asana, visual curly top ratings decreased an average of 41 and 24%, respectively, with insecticide treatments compared with the untreated check. Over both years, in eight of eight experiments for treatments with Poncho Beta and six of eight experiments for Asana, root yields increased an average of 39 and 32%, respectively, with treatment compared with the untreated check. Over both years, the Poncho Beta treatments increased estimated recoverable sucrose (ERS) yield by 75% compared with the untreated check for weeks 8 and 9. By week 10, only the Poncho Beta + Asana treatment led to increases in ERS in both years, while the influence of increasing host resistance may have made other treatments more difficult to separate. When considering curly top symptoms, root yield, and ERS among all weeks and years, there was a tendency for the insecticides in the Poncho Beta + Asana treatment to complement each other to improve efficacy.

Download Full-text