Response of different sugar beet genotypes to water deficit stress

In order to study the physiological aspects of water deficit stress on important quantitative traits of 14 sugar beet genotypes, a two-year experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with four replicates at Sugar Beet Seed Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2009-10. Two irrigation levels including S1 (normal irrigation after 80 mm evaporation from the class A pan) and S2 (irrigation after 180 mm evaporation) were applied by changing the irrigation round. Irrigation was performed similarly for both treatments from planting to the establishment (6-8 leaf) stage and thereupon applied based on evaporation from the class A pan. The highest root yield belonged to the genotypes SBSIDR-5, SBSIDR-8 and SBSIDR-14 and the lowest ones to SBSIDR-2, although all genotypes were placed in one group. Furthermore, the effect of year on potassium and sodium was significant. In SBSIDR-5, SBSIDR-1, and SBSIDR-7 genotypes, the Na level was the least while in SBSIDR-4 it was high. Compared with SBSIDR-1, SBSIDR-5, SBSIDR-6, SBSIDR-7, SBSIDR-9 and SBSIDR-10, SBSIDR-4 was placed in different group. In conclusion, genotype SBSIDR-5 was selected as the best pollinator.