Effects of planting methods on the quantity and quality of sugar beet in saline Regions

Water and soil salinity in some regions of Isfahan, East Azerbaijan, and West Azerbaijan provinces and also other parts of the Iran are the main hindrance for crop planting. Seeds of the tolerant crops to salinity such as cotton and sugar beet may have optimal germination and give acceptable performance if they become far from salt accumulation areas. To evaluate the effects of different planting methods on the quantity and quality of sugar beet in areas with salinity restriction, an experiment was carried out in a split split plot design in three replications in 2004-05, in Research Station of Rudasht, Isfahan. Irrigation with two salinity levels including 8 ds/m and 12 ds/m were allocated to the main plot, two planting dates to the subplots, and three planting methods including two rows under water mark, rows in flat plot, and on ridge to the subplots. Results showed that irrigation with 12 ds/m salinity level compared with 8 ds/m caused 17 and 18 % reduction in root yield and sugar content, respectively. Root yield was highly influenced by water salinity. Delay in planting, caused 31, 46 and 30% reduction in root yield, sugar content and sugar yield, respectively. Reduction in both white sugar yield and sugar yield was owing to root yield reduction. No significant difference was found among three planting methods. White sugar yield and sugar yield were higher in two- row planting method compared with two other methods. Delay in planting caused a significant decrease in sugar yield which is not recommended. Two- row planting method is recommended owing to more simplicity in irrigation, mechanized planting and also a decrease in production cost compared with two other methods.