Investigating the Effect of Date and Planting Method (Transplanting and Direct-Seeding) on Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The effects of transplanting and direct-seeding on agronomic traits and white sugar yield of sugar beet were studied in a split-plot experiment based on randomize complete blocks with three replications two regions of Miandoab and Bokan in 2016.  Treatments were three planting date (25 March, 8 and 18 April) and two planting systems (transplanting and direct-seeding .(Planting systems were assigned in the main plot and planting date in the subplots. The difference between direct and transplanting systems in terms of leaf area index, sugar extraction coefficient, root yield, white sugar yield and molasses sugar percentage were significant at 1% and sugar content and sugar yield at the 5% probability levels. The effect of sowing time on leaf area index, dry matter yield, sugar extraction coefficient, root yield, white sugar yield and sugar content of molasses were significant at 1%, and sugar content and sugar yield at 5% probability levels. The interaction effect of sowing time and planting system was significant on leaf area index, dry matter yield, sugar extraction coefficient, and root yield, white sugar yield at 1% and on sugar content at 5% probability levels. The transplanting system reduced the amount of molasses sugar by 32.41% compared to the direct planting system and the lowest percentages of molasses sugar were attributed to 25th of March planting date.  In the present study the highest leaf area index, dry matter yield, and sugar content, sugar extraction coefficient, root yield, and white sugar yield were allocated to the 25th of March planting date and transplanting system.