Water Use Efficiency, Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Biomass Production of Two Sugar Beet Varieties Under Well-Watered and Dry Conditions

Two sugar beet (Beta vulgaris sp.) varieties, which were supposed to differ in drought tolerance, were exposed to drought stress in a growth chamber and a container experiment in field. The aim was to test for (i) differences between the varieties in water use efficiency (WUE), biomass production and distribution and (ii) the relationship between WUE and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), and between biomass production and Δ. Significant differences in WUE were detected between plants of well‐watered and drought treatments in both experiments, but not between the varieties. Production losses due to drought were large for both varieties in both experiments. Losses in the growth chamber were up to 50 % of plant dry weight and the corresponding value in the field was 24 %, when plants were given 60 and 30 %, respectively, of the full‐watered treatments. Significant negative correlations between WUE and Δ were found, but not between biomass production and Δ, when both varieties were included. Negative correlations between WUE and Δ were also found for each variety separately. The results suggest that Δ estimates from leaf tissue of sugar beet may provide a useful tool for genetic selection of drought‐tolerant sugar beet varieties.     

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.     

Impact of water supply on photosynthesis,water use and carbon isotope discrimination of sugar beet genotypes

Improvements in drought tolerance of crop plants require research focused on physiological processes. In 2002 and 2003 pot experiments with sugar beet were conducted in a greenhouse. Two (2002) or three (2003) different genotypes were subjected to three watering regimes (100, 50 and 20% of water holding capacity). Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and water-use efficiency (WUE) as parameters of possible relevance for drought stress tolerance in sugar beet were investigated. It was studied whether ¹³C discrimination (Δ) is suitable as an indirect measure for WUE of sugar beet.DM yield, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing severity of drought stress. In contrast, internal CO₂ partial pressure remained relatively stable and effective quantum yield of photosynthesis was reduced only under severe drought, which points at non-stomatal inhibition of photosynthesis. Different sugar beet genotypes showed significant differences in DM yield, but interactions between genotype and water supply did not occur, indicating that genotypic differences in drought tolerance did not exist. In accordance with that, drought-sensitivity of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence was the same in different genotypes. Δ was higher in the leaves than in the taproot. Reductions in Δ in drought-stressed plants corresponded to about 24% higher WUE. Differentiating between plant organs, only leaf Δ was negatively correlated with WUE_L whereas taproot Δ and WUE_T were unrelated. Δ was therefore proven to be a sensitive indicator for water availability during the growing period. However, similar as other parameters relevant for drought stress tolerance it requires investigations in broader genetic material of sugar beet to detect genotypic differences.     

东北旋耕制度下垄作与平作甜菜产质量差异

为研究东北旋耕制度条件下甜菜平作和垄作对于甜菜产量和质量的影响,2017年以‘H004’为试验材料,采用分区设计的实验方法,在哈尔滨呼兰区多年旋耕地测定了在平作和垄作栽培条件下甜菜的块根产量、绿茎叶产量、含糖率、甜菜地下和地上部位的干物质量比例以及不同耕作条件下不同土层的土壤含水量和容重。研究发现转旋耕条件下平作和垄作甜菜含糖量没有显著差异,但是垄作甜菜块根产量要明显优于平作甜菜,垄作甜菜块根单产达到87.8 t/hm2,而平作甜菜块根单产仅为72.9 t/hm2。此外研究发现平作甜菜地上部分干物质积累较多,如平作甜菜根/地上部干物质比值要显著低于垄作甜菜。同时发现垄作栽培土壤含水量及土壤疏松程度均优于平作,如在20-26 cm土层中垄作土壤的容重和含水量分别为1.38 g/cm3和21.96%,而在20~26 cm平作土壤的容重和含水量仅为1.56 g/cm3和19.35%。本研究表明在东北旋耕制度条件下,垄作栽培更适于甜菜生产,也为下一步研发东北高产高糖甜菜栽培模式鉴定重要基础。     

Sucrose Accumulation in Sugar Beet Under Drought Stress

Drought stress may affect sucrose accumulation of sugar beet by restricting leaf development and storage root growth. The objective of this study was to identify changes occurring in the storage root of Beta beets in growth characteristics and ions and compatible solutes accumulation under drought with regard to sucrose accumulation. Two pot experiments were conducted: (1) sugar beet well supplied with water (100 % water capacity), under continuous moderate (50 %) and severe drought stress (30 %), (2) sugar beet and fodder beet well supplied with water (100 %) and under continuous severe drought stress (30 %). Under drought stress, the ratio of storage root to leaf dry matter of sugar beet decreased indicating a different partitioning of the assimilates. The sucrose concentration of the storage root was reduced. In the root, the number of cambium rings was only slightly affected, although drought stress was implemented already 6 weeks after sowing. In contrast, the distance between adjacent rings and the cell size was considerably restricted, which points to a reduced expansion of existing sink tissues. The daily rate of sucrose accumulation in the root showed a maximum between 16 and 20 weeks after sowing in well‐watered plants, but it was considerably reduced under drought stress. The concentration of compatible solutes (K, Na, amino acids, glycine betaine, glucose and fructose) decreased during growth, while it was enhanced because of drought. However, when sucrose concentration was added, a constant sum of all examined solutes was found throughout the vegetation period. It was similar in sugar beet and in fodder beet despite different concentrations of single solutes, and the total sum was not affected by water supply. A close negative relationship between the concentration of compatible solutes and sucrose occurred. It is therefore concluded that the accumulation of compatible solutes in the storage root of Beta beets under drought might be a physiological constraint limiting sucrose accumulation.     

Adaptive Responses of Beta Vulgaris L. and Cichorium Intybus L. Root and Leaf Forms to Drought Stress

Plants respond to drought with a restriction of leaf and root growth. The study aimed at analysing the morphological and functional adaptation mechanisms of Beta and Cichorium storage root and leaf forms to limited water supply. Two pot experiments were conducted: (i) with sugar beet, swiss chard, root and leaf chicory at 100 %, 50 % and 30 % water supply, (ii) with sugar beet, fodder beet and swiss chard at 100 % and 30 % water supply. The results indicate that there is no general response mechanism of root and leaf forms to better sustain drought stress. Sugar beet adapted to limited water supply with a marked decrease in the storage root to leaf ratio, indicating in particular a restriction of the predominant sink, while maintaining a very low transpiration coefficient. In contrast, swiss chard, root and leaf chicory kept their storage root to leaf ratio almost constant while adapting the transpiration coefficient. Sucrose storage was inversely related to the accumulation of solutes in the storage root of sugar beet and fodder beet. There is some evidence that the formation of a storage root in sugar beet and root chicory is inhibited by the inability of the plants to establish new sink capacities under drought conditions.     

基于灰色关联度分析和主成分分析法评估糖用甜菜品种的适应性

为了筛选出最适宜黑龙江哈尔滨地区种植的产质量高并抗根腐病的糖用甜菜品种。2020年在黑龙江省哈尔滨市黑龙江大学呼兰校区试验基地,以21个引种的KWS系列及1个BTS2730糖用甜菜品种（KWS1197为对照）为试材,采用主成分分析和灰色关联度分析法对根产量、含糖率、产糖量和根腐病4个指标进行综合评价。两种方法得出的甜菜品种的排序大致一致;第一主成分根产量的贡献率为69.704%,第二主成分含糖率的贡献率为26.283%,累计贡献率为95.987%,因此能够全面地反映甜菜的产质量性状;最适合本地种植的综合评价值高于对照的6个品种为：KWS0023(0.8231)>KWS0015(0.7685)> KWS6661(0.7511) >KWS9921(0.7103)>KWS0860(0.7097)>BTS2730(0.7065)>CK(0.6823);其他品种的综合评价值低于对照。主成分分析法和灰色关联度分析能够较为全面得分析甜菜品种,得出的结果具有可靠性。     

Greenhouse and field techniques for testing sugar beet for resistance to Rhizoctonia root and crown rot

Rhizoctonia‐resistant sugar beet varieties are the key to an integrated control strategy for Rhizoctonia root rot. Because of the unpredictable occurrence of Rhizoctonia solani in the field testing of sugar beet for resistance to Rhizoctonia root rot is difficult. The aim of the study was to develop advanced greenhouse and field techniques which allow a reliable assessment of sugar beet for resistance to R. solani. A highly infectious liquid inoculum was used for the first time in this study. It can be produced in large quantities of a standardized quality, sterile, and exactly quantified according to its carbon content. In a greenhouse trial, sugar beet grown in the same way as field grown beet was inoculated by applying a suspension of Rhizoctonia mycelium (equivalent to 10 mg carbon per plant) to the beet crown. After 3 weeks, inoculation had led to uniform and severe root rot. Disease symptoms were similar to those found under natural conditions in the field. No ‘escapes’, i.e. susceptible plants apparently expressing resistance were observed in the test. A new nine‐class disease scale was established and a Rhizoctonia index (RI) was calculated. Reliability of disease assessment was demonstrated on progeny of plants, selected from segregating populations, showing Rhizoctonia resistance more closely related to the resistant parent lines than to the susceptible ones. Sugar beet varieties could be assessed in the greenhouse within only 11 weeks. All varieties were affected by the pathogen but partially resistant varieties could be clearly recognized by a significantly lower Rhizoctonia index. Significant differences in susceptibility were also found within the group of new resistant genotypes. Infection studies performed in the field showed the superiority of the new liquid inoculum compared with a solid form and revealed the influence of inoculation date and inoculum level on the development of Rhizoctonia root rot. In field tests performed at different sites under different environmental conditions, susceptible and partially resistant sugar beet varieties could be reproducibly rated according to their susceptibility to R. solani. On average, susceptible varieties showed a Rhizoctonia index of 8 while resistant genotypes ranged from 5 to 6. The newly developed techniques allow fast and reliable evaluation of sugar beet for resistance to R. solani.     

内生真菌对甜菜主要农艺性状及氮糖代谢关键酶活性的影响

采用内生真菌F11液浸种、喷叶及灌根处理方法,调查其对甜菜栽培品种KWS2409的主要农艺性状及对甜菜氮、糖代谢关键酶即硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、蔗糖合酶(SS)和蔗糖磷酸合酶(SPS)活性的影响。结果表明,内生真菌F11菌株对甜菜的含糖量有明显的提高作用,其中以灌根处理效果最好,其叶鲜重、叶绿素含量、单根重、含糖率和产糖量的平均值分别提高了66.67%、47.42%、6.96%、17.46%和25.63%。在整个生育期,内生真菌F11显著提高了氮糖代谢酶活性,其中NR和GS活力分别呈“M”型双峰曲线和抛物线型变化,而SS和GS活力呈单峰曲线变化,后期根部SS合成活力明显高于分解方向活力,生育前期SPS活力高于后期。叶丛形成期达到最高峰,说明NR、GS、SS和SPS活性的增强是甜菜含糖量升高的主要生理原因。     

不同引进甜菜品种经济性状关系分析

为了探究不同甜菜品种块根重量、大小、长度之间的差异性,以及甜菜块根个体和含糖率、块根产量和含糖率之间的关系,以5个新疆主栽甜菜品种(KWS1176、KWS9147、BETA379、BETA468、BETA356)为材料,用GB/T 10496-2018中的调查方法测定5个甜菜品种的块根性状、含糖率、根产量和产糖量等经济性状,并分析其相关性。KWS1176、KWS9147、BETA379、BETA468、BETA356之间单个块根重量差异性不显著。块根含糖率表现为：KWS1176(13.62%)> BETA379(13.37%)> BETA468(12.80%)>KWS9147(12.56%)> BETA356(9.04%);块根产量表现为：KWS9147(100000.5 t/hm2)> BETA468(95000.48 t/hm2)> BETA379(93187.97 t/hm2)> BETA356(89875.45 t/hm2)>KWS1176(82000.41 t/hm2)。KWS1176、KWS9147、BETA356含糖率与个体...     

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。     

基于高光谱数据的滴灌甜菜叶片全氮含量估算

本文旨在明确甜菜叶片全氮含量与高光谱地面植被遥感的定量关系,建立干旱区甜菜叶片全氮含量精确估测模型,及时监测甜菜生长状况。本研究选取新疆滴灌甜菜(Beta356)为材料,利用ASD野外高光谱仪在甜菜叶丛快速生长期、块根膨大期与糖分积累期采集各处理反射光谱,并同时测定全氮含量,分析原始光谱反射率及一阶微分光谱反射率与全氮含量的相关性,并进一步建立光谱特征参数与敏感波段植被指数全氮含量估算模型。结果表明,光谱特征参数Dr762幂函数下估算模型具有较好估算甜菜叶片全氮含量的能力,其决定系数R2=0.747,验证相对误差RE(%)为21.635,验证均方根误差RMSE为4.914;通过植被指数与叶片全氮含量建立多种函数估测模型,其中差值植被指数Dr762–Dr496下一元线性函数具有较好估算甜菜叶片全氮含量的能力,其决定系数R2=0.794,验证相对误差RE(%)为23.008,验证均方根误差为5.372。     

Molecular and morpho-physiological characterization of sea,ruderal and cultivated beets

Beta vulgaris genetic resources are essential for broadening genetic base of sugar beet and developing cultivars adapted to adverse environmental conditions. Wild beets (sea beets, B. vulgaris spp. maritima and their naturalized introgressions with cultivated beets known as ruderal beets) harbor substantial genetic diversity that could be useful for beet improvement. Here, we compared molecular and morpho-physiological traits of wild beets collected on the Adriatic coast of Italy with sugar beet using eight primer-pairs amplifying 194 polymorphic fragments and four root traits (glucose and fructose content in the root tip, root elongation rate, number of the of root tips, total root length and its distribution among diameters ranges). Genetic diversity was higher in the sea beet accession, which may be due to the highly variable selection pressures that occur in heterogeneous ecological niches, compared with the ruderal and cultivated beets. Sea and sugar beet accessions showed contrasting root patterns in response to sulfate deprivation: sugar beet showed an increase of reducing sugars in the root tips and higher root elongation rate, and the sea beet accession showed an increase in root tip number, total root length and fine root length (average diameter < 0.5 mm). The ruderal beet showed intermediary responses to sea and sugar beet accessions. AFLP and morpho-physiological cluster analyzes showed sea, ruderal and cultivated beets to be genetically distinct groups. The results of this study indicate variability in response to sulfate deprivation is present in undomesticated beets that could be deployed for sugar beet improvement.     

甜菜种质资源品质性状鉴定与评价

旨在更加科学真实地评价甜菜种质资源的品质性状,有针对性地对种质资源优异品质性状进一步挖掘利用。引用甜菜块根蔗糖可回收率、杂质指数、可回收蔗糖量3 个综合指标,排除甜菜块根中有害性非糖分钾、钠、α-氮的影响,对参试的162 份甜菜种质资源2 年试验鉴定结果的有关品质性状进行分析。结果表明：甜菜块根中影响蔗糖提取的有害性非糖分钾、钠、α-氮在不同的种质资源材料间差异较大,其中钠含量在参试种质资源材料中极差达到4.763 mmol/100 g,为平均数的1.84 倍,变异系数34.43%;α-氮含量和钾含量在不同参试种质资源材料间也表现出较大差异,变异系数分别为16.90%和19.03%。通过对参试种质资源材料的评价,筛选出蔗糖含量高、有害性非糖分含量低的高糖组种质资源材料10份、中高糖组48份材料,2组平均蔗糖可回收率分别为15.88%和14.95%;筛选出杂质指数低于4.0、块根产量在45.00 t/hm2以上的丰产型种质资源材料7份,杂质指数4.0~4.5、块根产量在45.00 t/hm2以上丰产性较好的种质资源材料14 份。甜菜块根中可回收蔗糖量指标综合了蔗糖可回收率和块根产量2个性状指标,利用该项指标评价种质资源材料,可以挖掘出丰产优质的种质资源。用可回收蔗糖量指标评价甜菜品种,筛选丰产、高工艺品质的品种,兼顾甜菜种植者和制糖企业双方利益,有利于甜菜制糖产业可持续发展。     

Effect of drought stress on root yield and some morpho-physiological traits in different genotypes of sugar beet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

To study the effects of different levels of drought stress on root yield and some morpho-physiological traits of sugar beet genotypes, a study was conducted in the research farm of Islamic Azad University of Birjand, Iran in 2013 as strip-split plot experiments based on randomized complete block design. Different levels of drought stress were considered as vertical factor in three levels including normal irrigation, moderate stress, and severe stress. Horizontal factor was assigned to five varieties of sugar beet. Drought stress had a significant effect on root dry weight, total dry weight, root yield, and leaf temperature at 1% probability level and on leaf dry weight, crown dry weight, and harvest index at 5% probability level. Drought stress had an adverse effect on root yield of investigated genotypes of sugar beet. Under normal conditions, the mean of root yield was higher than middle and severe drought stress. Different investigated genotypes of sugar beet responded to drought stress based on their yield potential. The highest positive correlation of root yield was observed with root dry weight (r=0.977**). Stepwise regression analysis and path coefficient analysis showed that root dry weight and petiole dry weight are the most important traits that can affect root yield of sugar beet under drought stress and can used as selection criteria in investigated cultivars of sugar beet. Finally, 7221 genotypes can be considered as tolerant genotypes in the next studies. In comparison, Jolgeh cultivar (as susceptible control) yielded well in areas with normal irrigation, but under moderate and severely stresses its root yield was reduced.     

甜菜幼苗光合生理对干旱胁迫的响应

干旱胁迫是抑制甜菜生长发育和影响产量的重要非生物因素。以耐旱型甜菜种质依安一号（V1）和干旱敏感型种质92011/1-6/1（V2）为试验材料,探讨不同耐旱品种甜菜幼苗光合生理对干旱胁迫的响应。研究了干旱胁迫对甜菜幼苗生长发育、总叶绿素含量和表观光合指标的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫下2种甜菜幼苗的茎粗、根长、株高、叶鲜重、根鲜重、叶干重和根干重均呈下降趋势,V1下降幅度不明显且各指标降低幅度均小于V2;干旱胁迫降低了2种甜菜幼苗的叶绿素含量,叶绿素含量在第7天降到最低,且V1的含量明显高于V2;干旱胁迫使甜菜幼苗的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶片气孔导度和胞间CO₂浓度显著下降,V1受到的影响比V2要小。不同耐旱性甜菜品种对干旱胁迫的响应机制存在一定差异,可以进一步分析其抗旱能力,为甜菜的育种、抗逆栽培和稳产提供理论依据。     

Root traits and yield in sugar beet: identification of AFLP markers associated with root elongation rate

Morpho-physiological and molecular analysis were conducted to identify useful root indexes of sugar beet nutrient uptake capacity and productivity. Root architectural parameters, root elongation rate, sulfate uptake rate and glucose and fructose content in the root apex, traits involved in the plant response to sulfate stress, were evaluated in 18 sugar beet genotypes characterized by different root yield. Morpho-physiological traits, determined on 11-day-old seedlings grown in hydroponics under sulfate deprivation, showed variations from 59 to 197% and were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with root yield. Under field conditions, the highest root yield genotype (L18), which has the highest root phenotypic values following sulfate shortage, also showed the greatest root length density and leaf relative water content, with respect to the lowest root yield genotype (L01). Bulk segregant analysis based on AFLP analysis, done on a segregating progeny obtained from the cross between the two lines L01 × L18, allowed the identification of two AFLP markers associated to the root elongation rate parameter that showed the highest variation among all the analyzed root traits. The genetic diversity of root adaptive traits and the use of marker-assisted selection aimed at increasing sugar yield under water and nutrient stress in sugar beet breeding programmes are discussed.     

Impact of different environments in Europe on yield and quality of sugar beet genotypes

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yield and quality are determined by genotype and environment. This study aimed at analysing the relative importance of the environment for yield and quality of sugar beet genotypes and at assessing parameters which could give essential improvement for beet quality if included as additional selection criteria. For that purpose, root yield and quality (sugar, K, Na, amino N, total soluble N, betaine, glutamine, invert sugar, raffinose) of 9 sugar beet genotypes were investigated in 52 environments (25 sites in 2003 and 27 sites in 2004) in randomised field trials across Europe.The environment accounted for about 80% of the total variance for all parameters. Effects of the tested genotypes were larger for the content of betaine (8.5%) and sugar (7.6%) than for other parameters (1–5%). With the exception of invert sugar and amino N, the genotype by environment interaction was about 3% and thereby lower than the main effect of genotypes. Interactions resulted in an increase of the differences between genotypes which can be used to select genotypes in the most discriminating environments. The response of genotypes in sugar content was contrasting to other parameters and points to a physiological limit for sugar storage at about 20%. As no crossover interaction occurred for root yield or any quality parameter, there seemed to be no specific suitability of the tested genotypes to certain environmental stress conditions. This is probably due to the fact that the harvested beetroot is a vegetative storage organ and has no growth stages susceptible to unfavourable environmental conditions such as flowering and grain filling which are important for final yield in cereals. Invert sugar showed the largest relative differences between genotypes which were strongly enhanced in southern and some south-eastern European environments. Because of its importance during processing, considering invert sugar in breeding could improve technical quality for processing considerably for those extreme environments.     

Reaction of sugar beet S1 lines and cultivars to different isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-2IIIB

Interactions of 17 sugar beet lines and cultivars with four isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina (the causal agent of charcoal rot) and one isolate of Rhizoctonia solani (the causal agent of crown and root rot) were studied in separate experiments under greenhouse conditions. The isolates of Macrophomina were taken from their host plants, sugar beet (two isolates), soybean and sesame. In the first experiment, the colonized toothpick was used as inoculum. In the second experiment, six-month-old sugar beet plants were inoculated with barley seeds colonized with M. phaseolina. For the inoculation of sugar beet lines with R. solani, the colonized corn seeds were used. Root symptoms were recorded four weeks after inoculation, by estimating the proportion of the root surface infected by the pathogens, using a 1–9 standard scale. Our results showed a significant difference among lines and cultivars in their resistance to these two pathogens. Line B8618 was found to be considerably resistant to the isolates of the both pathogens. The inoculation methods of Macrophomina isolates had no significant effect on the results. The interaction between isolate and cultivar was not also significant in Macrophomina-resistant lines. Therefore, it appears that the response of sugar beet lines to the tested fungal isolates was not differential. These resistant lines showed a high resistance to all the tested M. phaseolina isolates. Our results revealed that the Macrophomina-resistant lines also showed resistance to R. solani. Furthermore, the sugar beet drought tolerant lines (M293, M362 and M345) were susceptible to the tested M. phaseolina and R. solani isolates.     

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).