Effect of seed hydroprimig and plant density on yield and quality traits of tow hybrid variety of sugar beet in delay planting

This aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of improving the yield and qualitative traits of sugar beet using seed hydropriming and increasing plant density under late planting. Two Iranian sugar beet cultivars (Aria and Shokoofa) were used. First, the optimal hydropriming limit of the seeds of the desired cultivars was determined in the laboratory and then the seeds of each cultivar were primed as much as needed for cultivation in the field. Cultivation was carried out with a single-row manual machine and as high-density to obtain the desired plant density after thinning. The first irrigation (drip system) was carried out on 9 May of each year. The experiment was performed as split factorial in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Cultivars (Shokoofa and Aria) were devoted to the main plots and primed and non-primed seed in two levels and density in four levels (70, 85, 100 and 115 thousand plants per hectare) were assigned as sub-plots. After harvest on23 November of each year and calculation of the yield, root pulp was taken and qualitative traits were measured. Finally, after obtaining two-year data, combined analysis of variance was done. Results showed that Shookofa with 44 t ha-1 root yield was superior to Aria with no significant difference between two cultivars in terms of qualitative traits. Priming had also no significant effect on any quantitative and qualitative traits of sugar beet. The highest root yield (45 t ha-1), sugar yield (7.1 t ha-1), and white sugar yield (5.9 t ha-1) were obtained at 100000 plants per hectare density. Therefore, for late sugar beet cultivation, non-primed seed of Shookofa cultivar with final density of 100,000 plants per hectare can be recommended as the optimal density.