Nitrogen requirement of fodder and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars under high-yielding conditions of northwestern Europe

This study provides current data on plant nitrogen (N) uptake required for maximum sugar yield (PNUp_max) and the corresponding fertilizer N dose (ND) (optimum N dose [ND_opt]) for high-yielding beet crops (sugar yield up to 20 Mg ha^?1). In 2010 and 2011, field experiments were conducted with four cultivars from Beta genus differing in dry matter composition, and six mineral NDs (0–200 kg N ha^?1) at three sites (The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark). Differences between cultivars in PNUp_max and ND_opt were small; however, environments (defined as combination of site and year) substantially differed from each other: highest PNUp_max and lowest ND_opt occurred at environments supplying high amounts of N from soil resources, and vice versa. The level of maximum sugar yield (SY_max) was related neither to PNUp_max (200–270 kg N ha^?1) nor to ND_opt. However, N dose and plant N uptake required for 95% of maximum sugar yield was 50–80 kg N ha^?1 lower than for maximum sugar yield. To conclude, accepting a slight reduction in sugar yield might allow for a substantial decrease in the ND. Cultivar choice and yield level need not to be taken into account at present.     

Boron stress inhibits beet (Beta vulgaris L.) growth through influencing endogenous hormones and oxidative stress response

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pleiotropic effects of boron stress on beet (Beta vulgaris L.) growth.

Methods: Beet seedlings were treated with varying concentrations of H₃BO₃ (0.05, 0.5, 2, and 30 mg/L) for 30 d for evaluation of diverse morphological parameters related to shoot and root growth. Transverse sections of beet leaves were observed under a microscope, and the leaf thickness was measured. Photosynthesis in beet was evaluated by measuring the photosynthetic rate, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and chlorophyll content; chloroplast morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the levels of diverse endogenous hormones, as well as oxidative stress parameters, were also analyzed in beet leaves.

Results: We found that boron accumulated in different beet tissues but was observed mainly in mature leaves, followed by young leaves, mature petioles, young petioles, and roots. Boron stress (boron toxicity, 30 mg/L; boron deficiency, 0.05 mg/L) significantly inhibited beet shoot, root growth, and leaf expansion while promoting leaf thickening. Additionally, the levels of indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellin A3, and zeatin in beet leaves decreased significantly under boron stress, whereas the level of abscisic acid increased. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde, and proline in beet leaves increased significantly under boron stress.

Conclusion: Together, our results indicate that boron stress significantly inhibited normal beet growth via the influence of endogenous hormone levels and oxidative stress responses.     

种子引发对盐胁迫下高粱种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

以“Tx623A”ד89-363”(Sb1, 耐盐性较弱)和“黑30A”ד大粒早”(Sb2, 耐盐性较强)2 个高粱杂交组合为试验材料, 利用100 mmol·L^-1?NaCl 溶液对种子进行引发处理。采用营养液沙培试验, 设4 个NaCl 浓度(0、50 mmol·L^-1、100 mmol·L^-1和150 mmol·L^-1)模拟盐胁迫, 研究种子引发处理对盐胁迫下高粱种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明: 随着盐胁迫强度增加, 无论经引发处理还是未经引发处理2 个高粱杂交组合种子的出苗时间均明显延迟, 出苗率和成苗率下降, 幼苗生长受到抑制, 物质积累减少。同等盐胁迫强度下,引发处理与未引发处理相比, 种子出苗时间缩短, 出苗率和成苗率提高, 幼苗地上部分干、鲜重和地下部分干、鲜重增加, 光合色素含量升高, Na⁺/K⁺值显著降低。由此得出, 种子引发处理可以不同程度地促进盐胁迫下高粱种子萌发, 减轻盐胁迫对幼苗的伤害, 促进幼苗生长, 提高耐盐性; 耐盐性不同的品种引发效果存在差异, 对耐盐性较弱的品种引发效果更好。     

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) response to diammonium phosphate and potassium sulphate under saline–sodic conditions

Salinity and sodicity are prime threats to land resources resulting in huge economic and associated social consequences in several countries. Nutrient deficiencies reduce crop productivity in salt‐affected regions. Soil fertility has not been sustainably managed in salt‐affected arid regions. Few researchers investigated the crop responses to phosphorus and potassium interactions especially in saline–sodic soils. A research study was carried out to explore the effect of diammonium phosphorus (DAP) and potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄) on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) grown in a saline–sodic field located in Kohat district of Pakistan. The crop was irrigated with ground water with EC_iw value of 2.17–3.0 dS/m. Three levels each of K₂O (0, 75 and 150 kg/ha) as K₂SO₄ and P₂O₅ (0, 60 and 120 kg/ha) as DAP were applied. The application of P significantly affected fresh beet and shoot yield while K fertilizers had significant effect on fresh beet yield and ratio of beet:shoot, while non‐significant effects on the fresh shoot were observed. The application of K₁ and K₂ promoted sugar beet shoot yield by 49.2 and 49.2% at P₁ and 64.4 and 59.7% at P₂, respectively over controls. In comparison with controls, fresh beet yield was increased (%) by 15 and 51, 45 and 84, and 50 and 58 for corresponding K₁ and K₂ at P₀, P₁ and P₂, respectively. Addition of P₁ and P₂ increased beet yield by 37 and 47% over control. The shoot [P] (mmol/kg) were achieved as 55.2, 73.6 and 84.3 at P₀, P₁ and P₂, respectively. The shoot [Mg] and [SO₄] tended to decrease with increasing P levels, while [SO₄] was markedly reduced at P₂. The effect of P on leaf [Na] was non‐significant, but increasing levels of K decreased [Na] substantially at P₀ and P₁, but there was no difference in the effect of K level on [Na] at P₂. Consequently, K application reduced leaf Na:K ratios. Fresh shoot yield was weakly associated with leaf [P] (R² = 0.53). The leaf Na:K ratio showed a negative relationship (R² = 0.90) with leaf [K]. A strongly positive relationship (R² = 0.75) was observed between leaf [K] and fresh beet yield. The addition of K₂SO₄ also enhanced [SO₄] and SO₄:P ratios in leaf tissues. The ratio of Na:K in the shoot decreased with increasing K application. These results demonstrated that interactions of K and P could mitigate the adverse effects of salinity and sodicity in soils. This would contribute to the efficient management of soil fertility system in arid‐climate agriculture.     

Analysis of morphological variation in wild beet (Beta vulgaris L.) from Sicily

Summary In this paper the variation pattern of the Sicilian Beta germplasm collection is analysed. Accessions from Sicily were grown under controlled conditions and were evaluated morphometrically. Geographical distribution patterns of morphological characters are identified and the putative classification of the collection into coastal and inland populations is reassessed. Between adjacent populations significant variation was found for Petiole length, Leaf length, Leaf width and Biomass, however no one variable unambiguously reflected a geographical pattern. Overall differences between coastal and inland populations were small. Petiole length and rate of generative development were found to be important for distinguishing between these groups. Interferences are drawn on how the collection from Sicily could be rationalized to avoid excessive duplication.     

Effect of vermicompost on some morphological,physiological and biochemical traits of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under salinity stress

Vermicompost can play an effective role in plant growth and development and also in reducing harmful effects of various environmental stresses on plants due to its porous structure, high water storage capacity, having hormone-like substances and plant growth regulators and also high levels of macro and micro nutrients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vermicompost and salinity interactions on some morphological and physiological features and concentration of mineral elements of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Light Red Kidney) cultivar. A factorial experimental with five different volumetric ratios of vermicompost and sand, including to: 0:100; 10:90; 25:75; 50:50 and 75:25 and four levels of salinity [20, 40, 60 and 80 mmol l^?1 sodium chloride (NaCl)], and control was conducted base on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Bean seeds were sowed in plastic pots, the seedlings being sampled 42 days old (flowering stage).The results showed that vermicompost had significant effect on all studied traits under stress and non-stress (p ≤ 0.05).In this experiment, the vermicompost significantly increased the photosynthetic rate and concentrations of potassium (K⁺) and calcium (Ca²)⁺in leaf and root tissues. In salinity levels of 20, 40 and 60 mmol l^?1NaCl, all subjected ratios of vermicompost and in 80 mmol l^?1NaCl the ratios of 10% and 75% vermicompost, significantly ameliorated negative effects of salinity. In both stress and non-stress conditions, using 10% volume of vermicompost is recommended to improve the growth of bean plants.     

Promotion of plant growth by an auxin-producing isolate of the yeast Williopsis saturnus endophytic in maize (Zea mays L.) roots

A plant-growth-promoting isolate of the yeast Williopsis saturnus endophytic in maize roots was found to be capable of producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPYA) in vitro in a chemically defined medium. It was selected from among 24 endophytic yeasts isolated from surface-disinfested maize roots and evaluated for their potential to produce IAA and to promote maize growth under gnotobiotic and glasshouse conditions. The addition of l-tryptophan (L-TRP), as a precursor for auxins, to the medium inoculated with W. saturnus enhanced the production of IAA and IPYA severalfold compared to an L-TRP-non-amended medium. The introduction of W. saturnus to maize seedlings by the pruned-root dip method significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the growth of maize plants grown under gnotobiotic and glasshouse conditions in a soil amended with or without L-TRP. This was evident from the increases in the dry weights and lengths of roots and shoots and also in the significant (P<0.05) increases in the levels of in planta IAA and IPYA compared with control plants grown in L-TRP-amended or non-amended soil. The plant growth promotion by W. saturnus was most pronounced in the presence of L-TRP as soil amendment compared to seedlings inoculated with W. saturnus and grown in soil not amended with L-TRP. In the glasshouse test, W. saturnus was recovered from inside the root at all samplings, up to 8 weeks after inoculation, indicating that the roots of healthy maize may be a habitat for the endophytic yeast. An endophytic isolate of Rhodotorula glutinis that was incapable of producing detectable levels of IAA or IPYA in vitro failed to increase the endogenous levels of IAA and IPYA and failed to promote plant growth compared to W. saturnus, although colonization of maize root tissues by R. glutinis was similar to that of W. saturnus. Both endophytic yeasts, W. saturnus and R. glutinis, were incapable of producing in vitro detectable levels of gibberellic acid, isopentenyl adenine, isopentenyl adenoside or zeatin in their culture filtrates. This study is the first published report to demonstrate the potential of an endophytic yeast to promote plant growth. This is also the first report of the production of auxins by yeasts endophytic in plant roots.     

Nutrient uptake, physiological responses and growth of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in soil under composite salt stress

High soil salinity imposes osmotic stress and ion toxicity in plants, leading to substantial crop yield loss worldwide. Understanding of the quantitative and dynamic physiological responses to composite soil salt stress is limited and needs to be expanded. In this study, physiological, nutritional, and biomass yield parameters of tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum L.) grown in soil with five levels of composite soil salinity(CSS), basal CSS level(control, CK) and 3(T1), 6(T2), 9(T3), and 12(T4) times the...     

Autochthonous halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria promote bacoside A yield of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash and phytoextraction of salt-affected soil

Phytoremediation is a promising approach for reclamation of salt-affected soil. Phytoextraction is the most commonly used process, which exploits plants to absorb, immobilize, and accumulate salt in their shoots. In this study, halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated from the rhizosphere of wild grasses growing naturally in salt-affected areas of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (India) and were tested for their efficacies of salt-tolerance and plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, the most efficient halotolerant isolates possessing PGP traits were identified as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (KM233646), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (KM233647), Bacillus flexus (KM233648), and Bacillus safensis (KM233652). Application of these isolates as bio-inoculants significantly (P < 0.05) increased the growth and bacoside A yield of a medicinal plant, Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash, grown on natural salt-affected soil. The phytoremediation of salt-affected soil was evident by the substantial increase in shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio of bio-inoculant-treated plants. When compared to un-inoculated control plants, the soil physico-chemical properties of bio-inoculant-treated plants were improved. The shoot and root biomass (fresh and dry weights), soil enzymes, and soil nutrient parameters showed significant positive correlations with the shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio. Consequently, the halotolerant PGPR screened in this study could be useful for the reclamation of saline soils concomitant with improved plant growth and bacoside A yield.     

Interactive effect of lithium on concentration of alkali cations in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under saline conditions

Background and aims

Increasing demand for lithium (Li⁺) for portable energy storage is leading to a global risk of Li⁺ pollution from the manufacture, use, and disposal of Li⁺-containing products. Although Li⁺, a reactive alkali metal, has no essential function in plants, they readily take it up and accumulate it in large amounts in their tissues. The underlying mechanisms for this Li⁺ uptake and accumulation are, however, not well described. Our aim has been to investigate the effects of other alkali metals with similar physicochemical properties on the uptake, accumulation, and toxicity of Li⁺ at low and high osmolarity.

Methods

To determine the way in which Li⁺ affects the accumulation of other cations under saline conditions, sugar beet plants were grown in hydroponic culture with equimolar amounts of Li⁺, potassium (K⁺), and sodium (Na⁺) at low and high concentrations in various combinations.

Results

Sugar beet plants tolerated high Li⁺ concentrations in the leaf and petiole. Low Li⁺ concentrations had no impact on plant growth but induced stomata closure. The presence of other monovalent cations at equimolar concentrations did not affect Li⁺ accumulation, but Li⁺ application altered the ratio of monovalent and divalent cations in leaves. Plants treated with high Li⁺ in combination with Na⁺ or K⁺ showed reduced plant growth and leaf necrosis, indicating the severe stress caused by Li⁺ toxicity.

Conclusion

The presence of cations with similar physicochemical properties to those of Li⁺ cannot mitigate its toxicity.     

Germination and growth response of flax (Linum usitatissimum) to salinity stress by different salt types and concentrations

This investigation was conducted to explore the effects of salt types with different concentrations on germination and growth parameters of flax seeds. The experiment was set out as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. We used six kinds of salts (NaCl, CaCl₂, CaCO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₂CO₃ and KCl) with concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 200 mM. According to the results, the inhibitory effects of the five salt types differed substantially, especially in the case of CaCO₃, Na₂CO₃ and Na₂SO₄. Inhibitory effects of these salts were very strong compared to those of NaCl and CaCl₂. Germination of flax seeds by various salts was in the order of NaCl > CaCl₂ > KCl > Na₂CO₃ > Na₂SO₄ > CaCO₃. The effect of salt concentration was obvious, too. Seeds of flax were able to germinate even in 200 mM NaCl, but they only germinated in distilled water or at very low CaCO₃, Na₂CO₃ and Na₂SO₄ concentrations (50 mM).     

Effect of Zinc applied together with compound fertilizer on yield and quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc, added into compound fertilizer in the production process, and zinc applied together with compound fertilizer on yield and quality component of sugar beet in 2009–2010.The treatments consisted of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) (12-30-12) compound fertilizer; 2. NPK (12-30-12) compound fertilizer + zinc sulfate and NPK (10-20-20) + 1% Zn compound fertilizer. Root yield, sugar percentage, white sugar percentage (WSP), white sugar yield (WSY), alpha-amino nitrogen, sodium and potassium concentration were investigated in this study. A total of 5 kg ha^?1 zinc application on sugar beet significantly increased the yield and quality of sugar beet; the rate of increase was in the range of 4.62–6.97% in root yield, 2.09–5.75% in sugar percentage, 2.60–8.03% in WSP and 7.84–13.06% in WSY. NPK (10-20-20) + 1% Zn compound fertilizer and NPK (12-30-12) compound fertilizer + zinc applications increased the sugar beet yield and quality values in both years.     

Effect of salt stress on tomato plant and the role of calcium

Abstract

Salinity is one of the serious abiotic stresses that has adverse effects on plant growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on germination and growth parameters of tomato plant as well as the role of Ca²⁺as an ameliorating agent. 100?mM NaCl and two concentrations of calcium (5 and 10?mM) were applied to tomato seeds and seedlings. This study was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a total of six treatments each comprising of three replicates. The application of 100?mM of NaCl delayed the germination time by 27.6%, reduced the seedling length and seedling vigor by 24.33% and germination stress tolerance by 27.6% as compared to control. Salinity also reduced the plant growth (root and shoot length, root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight, membrane stability, relative water content and leaf area), whereas the application of calcium mitigated the negative effects of salinity on germination and growth to a greater extent. With increased calcium concentration, growth and germination increased significantly both alone and in the salt-affected plant. 10?mM calcium showed best results and enhanced the promptness index by 20.7%, seedling length and vigor by 15.1% and GSI by 20.7%. It also improved root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight, relative water content and leaf area. Similarly, 5?mM calcium also increased plant height and membrane stability index. The present study suggests that application of Ca²⁺ enhanced the growth of tomato plant under saline conditions.     

盐胁迫下解盐促生菌对棉花种子发芽过程的影响

棉种经解盐促生菌Rs15-4处理后,播于含0.7％NaCl溶液的珍珠岩基质中培养。在种子萌发的过程中测定了细胞膜透性、游离脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白质及可溶性糖的变化。结果表明通过菌株处理后棉花子叶细胞膜透性比对照下降了26.15%;可溶性蛋白质含量高于对照的29.30%;在第7 d脯氨酸含量比对照提高了1.16倍;可溶性糖在发芽的第2 d至第6 d平均高于对照10%左右,以后又趋于稳定。同时,测定了过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD）和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,结果表明：解盐促生菌处理后的棉花子叶中CAT和POD活性高峰值较对照提前出现;SOD酶活性大大高于对照。经解盐促生菌Rs15-4处理后,发芽率比对照提高了11.8%。     

低磷胁迫对不同基因型甜菜抗性生理特征的效应

选用对低磷胁迫抗性各异的3个甜菜品种:品20、品17和品14,在人工培养室内采用沙培试验法,研究了甜菜抗耐低磷胁迫的生理机制。结果表明,低磷胁迫限制了甜菜对磷的吸收,导致植株含磷量和生物产量显著下降;不同品种间差异显著,品14降幅最大,品17次之,品20最小。与足磷处理(P 100μmol/L)相比,低磷胁迫后甜菜品种间体内抗性生理特征差异显著。其中,品14和品17的丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、过氧化物酶活性均显著增加;品20的丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量极显著下降,而过氧化物酶活性变化不显著。叶片中Mg2+-ATPase活性降低,不同品种降幅各异,从小到大依次为品20品17品14,其中品20与后两者间的差异均达显著。品20和品17体内的钙调素(CaM)含量显著增加,而品14变化不明显,其相对值从大到小依次为品20品17品14,差异显著,与品种自身抗磷胁迫能力顺序一致。不同磷素营养条件对甜菜抵御外界不良环境有较大影响,叶片在受到热伤害时,抗磷胁迫能力较弱的品14和品17在低磷胁迫时质膜损伤率显著增加;而抗磷胁迫能力较强的品20叶片质膜的损伤率显著下降,抗热能力得到改善。     

Germination,growth and ions uptake of moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) grown under saline condition

Salinity is the major environmental stress that affects the growth and productivity of plants. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of salinity on growth and ions uptake by moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) plant. The experiment was carried out in two phases. Initially, a germination test was conducted in the laboratory under the different salinity levels (control, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dS m^?1) and found that moringa seeds were germinated only at 5 and 10 dS m^?1 salinity levels, and no germination occurred at higher salinity levels (15 and 20 dS m^?1). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. In the second phase, three-week old nursery grown plants of moringa were shifted in pots under the five salinity levels (control, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dS m^?1). The experiment was laid out in CRD and replicated four times. In pot experiment, the root, shoot length, and dry weights were significantly affected by increasing the salinity levels. The uptake of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ was highly affected at different salinity levels as compared to control and Na⁺ ions accumulation was higher in roots rather than shoot. The results reveal that moringa plant can germinate, survive, and can be cultivated in areas with moderate saline condition.     

Diagnosis of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) nutrient imbalance by DRIS and CND-clr methods at two stages during early growth

High yield of sugar beet require adequate mineral nutrition. To be diagnosed across interacting nutrients using appropriate interpretation models, the plant must be sampled at a critical physiological stage. This study aimed to develop and validate norms at the 7-leaf and well-developed rosette stages, for diagnostic purposes using the Diagnosis and Recommended Integrated System (DRIS) and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis based on centered log ratios (CND-clr). Data on nutrient concentrations and plant performance were obtained from 409 plots in West-Central Poland. With respect to the growth stages, for physiological and practical reasons, the 7-leaf stage is preferable for diagnostic purposes. At this growth stage, the high-yield subpopulation characterized by higher concentration of potassium and sodium compared to other nutrients. CND-clr indices were closely related to DRIS indices (R² > 0.93). The CND-clr indices, however, better explained the differences in the white sugar yield within the validated dataset than the DRIS indices.     

The effect of silicon on alleviation of salt stress in borage (Borago officinalis L.)

The effects of exogenous silicon (Si) on salt (NaCl)-stressed borage (Borago officinalis L.) plants were investigated in this study. Six levels of Si (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 mM) and two levels of NaCl (0 and 120 mM) were applied to study the effect of NaCl and Si on some physiological, biochemical and anatomical properties of Borago officinalis L. Salt stress reduced fresh and dry weight, protein contents and catalase activity. In contrast, proline, glycine betaine, malondialdehyde and activity of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase increased in salt-stressed plants. The results of anatomical study of leaf cross section showed that salt stress resulted in noticeable anatomical variations such as increase in thickness of leaf blade and thickness of palisade parenchyma cells. Other interesting variations in salt stress include changes in structure and numbers of trichome and stomata. Si treatment in comparison with the plants only treated with salt resulted in an improvement in the studied physiological parameters, especially at 1.5 mM level. Also, Si treatment could moderate the negative effects of salt treatment on the studied anatomical attributes.     

Effect of salt stress on growth and biochemical parameters of Pisum sativum L.

Abstract

The effect of salinity on some physio-biochemical parameters in plants of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. EC 33866) has been investigated. Plants were subjected to four salt treatments, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl, for 30 days in sand culture and the physiological responses were measured. Salinity affected all of the considered parameters. Thus, high NaCl concentrations caused a great reduction in growth parameters such as fresh and dry weight of leaves and roots, but the leaf number was less affected. These changes were associated with a decrease in the relative water content and the K⁺ concentrations. The proline and sugar content was increased, but nitrate reductase activity and chlorophyll was found to decrease in leaves. The significance of organic solute accumulation in relation to osmotic adjustment has been discussed.     

Effect of soil type on the time-course of changes in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) productivity in Tokachi District,Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

To clarify the effect of soil type on changes in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) productivity since 1980 in Tokachi District (Hokkaido, Japan), we analyzed yield data from 121 settlements from 1980 to 2002 using maps of parent materials and surface organic matter contents in a geographical information system. The soil types were Brown Lowland soils, Andosols with an alluvial subsoil, Wet Andosols and Andosols. The sugar beet yields were highest in the Andosols and moderate in Andosols with an alluvial subsoil. Yields in Brown Lowland soils in the 1980s were similar to those in Andosols, but decreased below the yields in the Andosols by the 1990s. The yields in Wet Andosols were the lowest in the 1980s, but have been similar to those in Andosols with an alluvial subsoil since 1990. Thus, productivity appears to have varied over time in Brown Lowland soils and Wet Andosols. The correlation coefficients between yields and cumulative daily mean temperature from late April to mid-July since 1990 were highest in the Andosols (r = 0.67), lowest in the Brown Lowland soils (r = 0.50) and intermediate in the other soil types (r = 0.54–0.60). However, the magnitude of the correlation between the yield and the cumulative precipitation since 1990 was lowest in the Andosols (r = –0.22), highest in the Brown Lowland soils (r = –0.58) and intermediate in the other soil types (r = –0.44 to –0.45). These results suggest that the present soil water environment in the Andosols is superior to that in the other soil types.