Soybean Allelopathy and Subsequent Cropping

The observed delayed emergence and seedling development in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) planted into soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) residues in the field were reproduced in the greenhouse. Severity of the effects were increased as the rate of residue increased. Residues, and leachates from residues, inhibited wheat growth and reduced yields 19–29 % in the field. Shallow incorporation of residues into soil resulted in delayed emergence, thinner stands, and greatly shortened coleoptile length. Emergence was reduced more under "moderately dry" soil conditions while stunting was more pronounced under "wet" soil conditions. Residues appeared to have no direct effect on Rhizoctonia winter-kill. Based on this research, even distribution of soybean residues across the field at harvest and deep placement of the residue should reduce these allelopathic effects on a subsequent wheat crop.     

施肥对甜菜生长季中黑土氮素时空变异特征效应

为揭示施肥对甜菜生长季节黑土氮形态动态变化规律,采用不同施肥处理研究甜菜生长季（5—9 月）东北黑土0~90 cm无机氮（铵态氮和硝态氮）和有机氮各组分（酸解总氮、氨态氮、氨基糖态氮、氨基酸态氮、酸解未知态氮及非酸解态氮）时空动态变异特征。结果表明,施肥处理在甜菜生育前期（5—7 月）对铵态氮和硝态氮时空变化有显著影响。土壤硝态氮主要分布在0~50 cm 且含量高于铵态氮,相比无肥有作物对照(CK2),施氮肥处理在甜菜幼苗期增加了土壤0~30 cm铵态氮和硝态氮含量,同时增加块根糖分增长期（7 月）土壤0~70 cm硝态氮的消耗。与不施氮相比,施氮肥可以增加0~30 cm土壤酸解总氮、氨态氮和氨基酸态氮的含量。土壤酸解总氮、氨态氮和氨基酸态氮含量在0~90 cm呈明显递减的空间梯度变化,但施氮肥处理可以平衡0~50 cm土壤氨基酸含量;土壤氨态氮随着甜菜生育时期进行呈先增加后下降的变化规律;土壤氨基糖态氮含量时空变化不显著;土壤未知态氮含量随时间变化与氨态氮、氨基糖态氮和氨基酸态氮含量变化趋势相反;施氮肥处理(N120)和无作物对照(CK1)土壤非酸解态氮在甜菜生长后期（7—9 月）均出现深层残留。有机氮各组分含量（除氨基糖态氮和氨基酸态氮外）随甜菜生育进程遵循三次曲线方程的分布规律;甜菜生长过程中,土壤酸解有机氮组分中的氨态氮和氨基酸态氮为无机氮主要贡献者。     

基于糖用甜菜品质和产量指数的氮磷钾施肥模型

为了探索适宜糖用甜菜高产优质种植的氮磷钾最佳施肥效应模型,本文以糖用甜菜为研究对象,采用大田回归组合试验,对糖用甜菜栽培中的氮、磷、钾肥因子与糖用甜菜的产量和品质的关系进行研究,采用层次分析法(Analytic Hierarchy Process, AHP)确定了各品质指标(糖度、钾、钠、a-氮)和产量为指标的权重,通过隶属函数对各种施肥处理糖用甜菜的产量和品质进行模糊综合评价,根据评价得分为品质指数初步建立并优化了氮、磷、钾肥因子与糖用甜菜综合品质指数的回归方程。结果表明：大田试验适宜的氮肥施用量为68.89～88.61 kg.ha-1,施磷量为47.94～92.06 kg.ha-1,施钾量为54.34 ～100.66kg.ha-1。     

甜菜连作土壤对甜菜幼苗生长影响及其化感物质成分分析

为探究甜菜化感物质成分,减轻甜菜连作带来的副作用,设置休闲土、连作一年的重茬土2个处理组,探究不同土壤对甜菜幼苗发芽率、染病率以及株高、茎粗等生长指标的影响。采用质谱联用(GC-MS)分析技术初步筛选了2种土壤中差异显著(P＜0.05)的化合物。结果表明：与休闲土相比,重茬土种植的甜菜幼苗发芽率没有受到显著影响,但是幼苗感染立枯病的概率大大增加,且达到显著水平。在株高、叶面积、地上部鲜重方面,休闲土种植和重茬土种植差异显著,但茎粗差异不显著(P＞0.05)。利用质谱联用技术,得出15种疑似的甜菜化感物质。甜菜连作土壤中的化感物质成分会对甜菜幼苗的生长造成一定的影响,筛选和鉴定疑似化感物质成分,对缓解甜菜连作障碍、提高甜菜产质量具有重要意义。     

Effect of N Fertilization Rate on Sugar Yield and Non-Sugar Impurities of Sugar Beets (Beta vulgaris) Grown Under Mediterranean Conditions

For three successive growing seasons (1999–2001), a completely randomized block design experiment was established at the surrounding area of each of four sugar beet processing plants of Hellenic Sugar Industry SA, Greece (a total of 12 experiments). Nitrogen was applied at five rates (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha⁻¹) and six replications per rate. Nitrogen fertilization had site-specific effects on quantitative (fresh root and sugar yields) and qualitative (sucrose content, K, Na, α-amino N) traits. When data were combined over years and sites, fresh root and sugar yields were maximized at high N rates (330.75 and 295 kg N ha⁻¹ respectively), as derived from quadratic functions fitted to data. In three trials, increased N rates had negative effects on root and sugar yield. These sites were characterized by high yield in control plots, light soil texture (sand > 50 %) and low CEC values. When data were converted into relative values (the ratio of the trait values to the control mean of each experiment), root and sugar yield was found to be maximized at higher N rates (350 and 316 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively). Sucrose content was strongly and linearly reduced by the increased N rates when data were combined but a significant reduction with increasing N rates was found in only two sites. Non-sugar impurities (K, Na, α-amino N) were positively related to the increased N rates when data were combined. Sodium and α-amino N showed to be most affected by N fertilization as positive relationships were found in six and eight of 12 locations, respectively. Increased N supply resulted in higher soil NO₃-N concentrations (0–90 cm depth) at harvest which were related with amino N contents in sugar beet roots (in 1999 and 2001).     

施肥对甜菜产量、物质积累和养分吸收规律的影响

采用田间试验研究了施肥对甜菜产量、干物质积累和吸肥规律的影响。结果表明：氮、磷、钾肥配合施用可以提高甜菜产量,制约甜菜产量的养分因子依次为N〉P〉K。干物质日积累规律为：苗期增长缓慢,叶和块根分别在出苗后80,125d达到最大值,在60～80d时,块根的日积累量超过叶。氮的吸收速率,全株表现为慢-快-慢的规律,叶片和块根分别在出苗后100,160d达到最大值,氮的累积总量在叶中较多。磷的吸收速率,叶片表现为出苗后40～80d最快,块根在40～120d快速增加并达到最大值;磷在叶和根中的累积量分别在出苗后80,120d达到最大,80d之后根的累积量超过叶。对于钾,叶在出苗后40—120d快速吸收并达到最大值,块根在出苗60d后吸收加快,收获时达到最大;在整个生育期内块根对K的吸收量都低于叶。甜菜单株日吸收N和P量分别在出苗后100,60d达到最大值;K的日吸收量苗期较少,40～80d快速增加达到最大,收获前出现负增长。     

水涝胁迫对不同土壤盐碱度下甜菜幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

为探究水涝胁迫对不同土壤盐碱度下甜菜幼苗生长的影响,验证甜菜在水涝逆境中的生长规律,评估水涝胁迫对盐碱地甜菜种植的影响,以甜菜‘SV1433’为供试品种,以微酸性黑土为基础利用NaCl、Na₂SO₄、Na₂CO₃、NaOH调节土壤盐碱度,采用室内土培法,设置微酸土、盐渍土、盐碱土3个土壤盐碱梯度下对照及水涝胁迫共6组处理。结果发现,播种9天后出苗结束,微酸土中甜菜出苗较快,优于盐渍土及盐碱土;播种26天后收苗,在微酸土、盐渍土、盐碱土3种土壤盐碱度下,水涝胁迫比对照植株鲜重分别降低40.7%、26.9%、25.2%,干重分别降低41.1%、29.9%、24.8%,株高分别下降20.4%、19.1%、16.3%,表明随土壤盐碱度升高水涝胁迫对甜菜幼苗鲜重、干重、株高影响逐渐降低;水涝胁迫下幼苗根面积及叶面积显著降低,植株叶长显著下降,叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶片气孔导度显著降低,表现出水涝胁迫下盐碱土中甜菜幼苗生长较好,优于盐渍土及微酸土。     

Leaf,canopy and agronomic water‐use efficiency of field‐grown sugar beet in response to potassium fertilization

Potassium (K) fertilization is important to maintain adequate concentrations of plant available K in agricultural soils to achieve best yields and improve crop stress tolerance and water‐use efficiency (WUE). Water‐use efficiency (WUE) can be expressed on various spatiotemporal scales, and it is known that responses of WUE to external stress are not uniform across scales. Multiscale evaluations of the impact of varying K fertilization on the WUE of C₃ crops under field conditions are missing so far. In the present field study, we evaluated effects of K fertilization on WUE of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) on short‐termed leaf‐ (WUE_Leaf) and canopy‐scales (WUE_Canopy) and as the agronomic ratio of white sugar yield (WSY) to in‐season water use (i.e. WUE_WSY). In K‐fertilized plots, WUE_WSY was enhanced by 15.9%. This effect is attributed to increased beet yield and WSY, as no differences in total in‐season water use between fertilized and unfertilized plots were observed. Potassium (K) fertilization significantly enhanced the leaf area index, resulting in a more efficient depletion of soil moisture by roots in K‐fertilized plots. As a consequence, WUE_Leaf was increased due to stomatal adjustment. Potassium (K) improved WUE_Canopy only by tendency. It is concluded that K fertilization improves the WUE of field‐grown sugar beet across scales, but processes that regulate WUE are highly scale dependent.     

连作模式下甜菜土壤微生物研究进展

为揭示甜菜连作模式下的土壤微生物响应机制,本研究分析了甜菜连作下土壤微生物群落区系和根际微生态研究进展,初步探讨连作甜菜土壤微生物群落变化的演变规律,着重阐述土壤微生物与根际微生态在连作条件下的作用机制,并对未来的研究方向做出展望.指出连作条件下甜菜与微生物互作是一个复杂的过程,其受多重因素共同作用,与根际微生态环境密...     

Root Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Relation to Plant Population

Introduction of genetic monogerm seed and the advancement of agricultural techniques raised the possibility of eliminating costly thinning operations in sugar beet farming. However, this requires high and uniform seedling emergence to provide prerequisite plant populations in the field. This work investigated the minimum levels of seedling emergence for non-thinned sugar beet farming. The experiment was carried out in a loamy soil to investigate the effects of three levels of emergence (60, 50 and 35%) and two intra-row spacings (8 and 15cm) with or without thinning using seed source of graded viability of cv Eva in 1992 and 1993 under field conditions in Eastern Anatolia. Plant population throughout the growing period was monitored and data were taken of yield and quality parameters. On average, 60, 50 and 35% emergence levels were achieved using seed source of 90, 72 and 54% viability range, which resulted in different levels of plant stands depending on intra-row spacing and thinning. Plant density at harvest ranged between 49 500 and 124 500 ha⁻¹ on average depending on initial establishment, intra-row spacing and thinning. Root yield and sugar yield were the highest at plant stands between 90 000 and 100 000 ha⁻¹, below or above of which declined. Impurity contents (e.g. Na, K and a-amino N contents) and extractable sugar content decreased but sugar content and clear juice purity enhanced as plant stands at harvest increased.     

施氮对甜菜不同发育阶段根际氨基酸含量的影响

根际土壤中氨基酸的含量在施氮条件下会发生改变,本研究对施氮后甜菜不同发育阶段根际土壤中氨基酸含量的变化进行测定及分析,选取有机氮吸收效率高与低的甜菜品种各1个,设置施氮(N：150 mg/kg)、不施氮肥(N：0 mg/kg)区。分别在甜菜苗期、叶丛快速生长期、块根糖分积累期、收获期收集根际和非根际土壤,利用高效液相色谱法测定氨基酸的含量。结果表明：甜菜4个时期中总氨基酸含量随甜菜生长呈上升趋势,变化范围为1194.9~1375.63 mg/kg,但在各种氨基酸的变化上又存在着差异。4个时期中施肥处理的土壤与未施肥土壤相比,施肥处理的土壤中氨基酸氮总量高于未施肥处理,高出117.35 mg/kg。其中增幅最大的是中性氨基酸,施肥平均增加91.56 mg/kg。氮高效品种‘KWS8138’对氨基酸的矿化量高于氮低效品种‘Beta176’,高出63.76 mg/kg,根际土壤氨基酸占比受到甜菜生长的显著影响,根际外土壤氨基酸变化并不显著。根际土壤氨基酸含量变化大于根际外土壤。施氮肥增加了土壤氨基酸氮的含量,从而提高了土壤持续供氮能力。     

Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Relation to Morphological and Physiological Characteristics under Varying Amounts of Nitrogen Supply

In a field trial located in a northern region of Germany, characterized by a Podzol soil and increasing N fertilization resulted in an enhanced N uptake of the maize (Zea mays L.) variety “Felix” with increasing N fertilization ranging from 0 kg N ha^-1 (N1) to 60 kg N ha^-1 (N2) and to 160 kg N ha^-1 (N3). The growth conditions reached only nearly optimal temperature for biomass allocation in a short period of July and August 1990. The plant productivity was stimulated due to higher N uptake and N utilization to values of nearly 1600 g ha^-1. The N efficiency decreased with increasing N fertilization. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of varied nitrogen nutrition on the development of maize plants under standardized growth conditions, comparable to the sub optimal growth conditions of the field experiment. Physiological and anatomical parameters were measured. Within a range of 0.2—1.0 mg N cm^-2 of leaf nitrogen, the chlorophyll concentration and the CO₂ exchange rate showed a linear relationship with the reduced N in the leaf. Above 1.0 mg N cm^-2 no further increases in chlorophyll levels or photosynthesis were observed. Nitrate reductase activity was stimulated throughout the N range supplied. The activities of photosynthetic enzymes (PEP carboxylase, Nadp malic enzyme, RubP carboxylase) was increased from the low (0.19 g N kg^-1 soil) to the middle N level (0.37 g N kg^-1 soil). Under conditions of a high N supply (0.75 g N kg^-1 soil) the activity decreased, except Nadp malic enzyme. This effect was accompanied by alterations of the internal structure of the leaf. Leaf thickness and size of the mesophyll parenchyma were less at the medium nitrate supply. Other anatomical parameters were influenced in proportion to leaf nitrogen status. Stomatal index was not affected by N supply, but lengths and widths of epidermal and stomatal cells as well as the distance between stomata and vascular bundles were increased by high N supply. It is proposed that above an optimal range of leaf nitrogen, maize plants cannot use the potential advantage of the C₄ mechanism and the N utilization shows maximum efficiency in the intermediate N level under the sub optimal growth conditions used in the greenhouse experiment.     

Growth analysis of rhizomania infected and healthy sugar beet

Viral disease of rhizomania is one of the most important diseases of sugar beet all over the world. The disease significantly has reduced the yield and quality of sugar beet, and has imposed high economic loss to farmers. Long-term breeding programs to introduce tolerant cultivars are the only chance of avoiding further yield losses. This study tried to measure and analyze the growth of shoots and roots of rhizomania-tolerant and -susceptible sugar beet with the aim of providing information for modeling of the rhizomania effects on the growth of sugar beet. Growth indices were used for analyzing, quantification, and time-course of sugar beet growth under infested and non-infested soils conditions. A 2-year experiment was conducted using four sugar beet cultivars in 2010 and 2011 in Mashhad, Iran. The results of this study showed that under infested soils, root dry matter and leaf area index of the susceptible cultivars in comparison to tolerant cultivars were lower by 57 and 24%, respectively. In addition, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate of susceptible cultivars were affected by rhizomania and were lower than in tolerant cultivars. On non-infested soil, the difference between dry matter and growth indices of susceptible and tolerant sugar beet cultivars was not significant. Rhizomania decreased green area and photosynthesis capacity and led to lower growth rate and dry matter production. Our study quantified the growth of rhizomania-infested sugar beet plants in comparison with non-infested plants and provided information to be used for modeling of the rhizomania effects on the growth of sugar beet.     

滨海盐碱地棉花秸秆还田对土壤理化性质及棉花产量的影响

在滨海盐碱地定点设置连续3年棉花秸秆还田和未还田2个处理,研究其对0~60 cm土层土壤理化性质和棉花产量的影响。结果表明,连续3年棉花秸秆还田显著降低0~30 cm土层土壤容重和0~10 cm土层0.25 mm土壤微团聚体含量;显著提高0~10 cm土层5 mm土壤大团聚体含量。在0~20 cm土层,3年秸秆还田显著提高棉花播前和各生育阶段土壤有机质、硝态氮、铵态氮和速效钾含量,平均分别比对照提高13.45%、18.57%、22.80%和22.57%;降低土壤速效磷和含盐量,平均分别比对照降低18.29%和16.59%。在20~40 cm土层,3年秸秆还田显著提高土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量,平均比对照提高37.20%和31.62%;显著降低土壤含盐量,平均比对照降低19.06%。在40~60 cm土层,3年秸秆还田显著提高土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量,平均分别比对照提高38.26%和24.83%。3年棉花秸秆还田分别比未还田显著提高棉花籽棉产量11.57%、19.01%和13.24%和皮棉产量18.56%、19.78%和18.73%,但对棉花单铃重和衣分无显著影响。     

Prediction of Various Effects of Harvest Date in Sugar Beet Growing

One crucial decision in sugar beet growing is determining harvest date. This paper focuses on some aspects associated with harvest date which have to be included in a decision support system for sugar beet growing.
Firstly, a module was created for dirt and crown tare, mainly based on lutum (or clay) and soil moisture contents. An independent test of the module showed poor results, because fine tuning of harvest machinery has an overriding effect. Secondly, the variation in weather conditions during autumn in Wageningen over a period of 38 years was analysed. The ranges of future root and sugar production appeared to be so wide that early predictions of the day on which the sugar quota are exceeded will not be very reliable. Thirdly, risks of severe frost or heavy rainfall in autumn were assessed, based on the same 38 year data set. The risk of frost damage to unharvested beets proved to be negligible when the crop was harvested before November 10, as advised by the sugar industry.
The work described in this study makes the model PIEteR (a field specific bio-economic production model for sugar beet, developed for decision support at field and farm level) more applicable by using its potential to analyse the effects of different years and quota options.     

甜菜对低氮胁迫的形态学响应机制

为了分析甜菜对低氮胁迫在形态学上的应答机制,本研究以甜菜种质资源‘780016B/12优’为研究对象,对缺氮(N 0 mmol/L)和低氮(N 1.5 mmol/L)条件下甜菜植株的形态和根系构型变化进行了深入分析。结果表明,甜菜遭受氮胁迫时,地上部生物量积累减少,地下部生物量积累增加,根冠比增加,叶面积减少,甜菜生长发育受到抑制。低氮胁迫7~14天后的根系面积、体积和根系分叉数增加量均大于对照(N 10 mmol/L)。氮胁迫下,甜菜的根系构型呈二分体状,且随着胁迫时间和缺氮程度的增加,地下生物量越大,这种状况表现的越为明显。因此可以推断,甜菜植株根系生物量的高低与根系构型有着密切的联系,甜菜通过改变根系比例和根系构型来获得氮素平衡。     

逆境胁迫下甜菜生理特性的研究进展

当前影响甜菜生长发育的主要因素有水分、温度、土地盐碱化等,因此,研究甜菜逆境条件下生长和生理特性变化是当前的热点话题。为了研究水分、温度和土地盐碱化对甜菜生长发育的影响,归纳了逆境胁迫对植物生长的影响,总结了逆境下甜菜地上部和根系的形态变化和生理指标变化趋势。叶片是植物重要营养器官之一,主要生理功能是进行呼吸作用、光合作用、蒸腾作用和养分转化作用。根系是植物生长发育的关键部位,起到固定、支撑植物、吸收运输养分的作用。由此得出甜菜对逆境胁迫的响应是通过改变外部形态和生理生化指标而完成的。建议今后进一步研究甜菜和环境间相互作用机制,加强对甜菜产业体系的管理及发展,为提高甜菜的产量和品质提供参考。     

The effect of wheat straw residue on the emergence and early growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

The management of straw residue can be a concern in non-inversion tillage systems where straw tends to be incorporated at shallow depths or left on the soil surface. This can lead to poor crop establishment because straw residue can impede or hinder crop emergence and growth. Small container-based experiments were undertaken using varying amounts of wheat straw residue either incorporated or placed on the soil surface. The effects on days to seedling emergence, percentage emergence, seedling dry-weight and soil temperature using sugar beet and oilseed rape were investigated because these crops often follow wheat in a cropping sequence.The position of the straw residue was found to be the primary factor in reducing crop emergence and growth. Increasing the amount of straw residue (from 3.3 t ha^?1 to 6.7 t ha^?1) did not show any consistent trends in reducing crop emergence or growth. However, in some instances, results indicated that an interaction between the position and the amount of straw residue occurred particularly when the straw and seed was placed on the soil surface. Straw placed on the soil surface significantly reduced mean day-time soil temperature by approximately 2.5 °C compared to no residue. When the seed and straw was placed on the soil surface a lack of seed-to-soil contact caused a reduction in emergence by approximately 30% because of the restriction in available moisture that limited the ability for seed imbibition. This trend was reversed when the seed was placed in the soil, but with straw residue still on the soil surface, because the surface straw was likely to reduce moisture evaporation and improved seed-to-soil contact that led to rapid emergence. In general, when straw was mixed in or placed on the soil surface along with the seed, sugar beet and oilseed rape emergence and early growth biomass was significantly restricted by approximately 50% compared to no residue.The consequences of placing seed with or near to straw residue have been shown to cause a restriction in crop establishment. In both oilseed rape and sugar beet, this could lead to a reduction in final crop densities, poor, uneven growth and potentially lower yields that could lower financial margins. Therefore, if farmers are planning to use non-inversion tillage methods for crop establishment, the management and removal of straw residue from near or above the seed is considered important for successful crop establishment.     

Die Ertragsentwicklung von Wintergetreide und Zuckerrüben bei dauerhafter Senkung des N-Düngungsniveaus

Effects of Long-term Fertilizer N Reduction on Winter Grain and Sugar Beet Yields
The results of recent field experiments concerning the effect of long-term N-reduction on the yield and quality of sugar beet, winter wheat and winter barley on plots which had previously had received ample amounts of N are studied in this paper.
The yield and quality of crops harvested on plots where N-dressings had been reduced for 6–8 years were similar to those of crops grown on plots where N-application had been reduced for only 1 year. Grain yield of winter wheat and winter barley grown without any N-application decreased to about 60 % of amounts normally harvested under local conditions with recommended N dressings, whereas the white sugar yield still remained at 90 %. The yields decreased slightly with an increase in the duration of the experiments. Yields of both cereals and beets remained constant within each level of fertilization, even 6 years after inition of trials with 50, 75 and 125 % of locally recommended N dressings.
On plots that did not receive nitrogen fertilization, N-contents of grain were between 1.5 and 1.7 % for winter wheat and 1.0 and 1.6 % N for winter barley. These contents remained constant over a trial period of 6 years. The amount of annual export of 55–91 kg N/ha also remained constant. Limited N availability causes a decrease in grain protein content rather than in grain yield.
Compared to winter grain species, sugar beet (with 74–117 kg N/ha in the beet body) could realize the highest annual export of nitrogen from the plot. Differences in annual N export existing between the various locations of the plots cannot be explained by differences in soil quality. Continuous high yields that were found even without any N-dressings may be explained by asymbiotic N-fixation, deposition of atmospheric N and a progressive decrease in soil N with 17–56 kg N/ha removed from soil resources annually.     

Selective Absorption of K over Na in Sugar Beet Cultivars and its Relationship with Yield and Quality in Two Contrasting Environments of Central Greece

Selective absorption (SA) of K over Na (i.e. the preferential absorption of K over Na) has been proposed as a Na tolerance mechanism but genotypic variation for this trait has not been assessed with sugar beet in the field. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the variation of SA in 14 sugar beet cultivars and to relate SA with yield and root quality in two sites of central Greece (Amfithea and Pyrgetos). Genotypic variation for SA was significant and the SA values were higher in Pyrgetos, the site with the lower soil K and Na concentrations. In Pyrgetos, a favourable environment for sugar beet growth, cultivars yielded more and root quality was better. In that site, a negative relationship between SA and yield (fresh root weight, sugar yield) was found indicating that strong Na exclusion from root is a disadvantage for high yielding. Negative SA–yield relationships were evident in Amfithea when five cultivars with very low SA values (<1.00) were excluded from the analysis. Combined all the cultivars, curvilinear functions were the best-fitted curves for the SA–yield relationships. In Amfithea, where sugar beets had lower water content in root (WCR), a significant, positive correlation between SA and % sucrose content in fresh root weight was found. This finding was ascribed to the dilution of sucrose in roots due to the increased WCR as a result of the increased root Na concentration. In both sites, SA was positively related with root K concentration and negatively with Na concentration. The positive correlations between SA and root α-amino N concentration indicated that sugar beet N nutrition could be affected by the genotypic ability to exclude Na from the root.