Effect of planting pattern on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in temperate regions of Fars province

Planting pattern can be adjusted by changing row spacing and row width, one row and two- row planting and plant interval on rows. In order to obtain the optimum planting pattern of a monogerm hybrid cultivar and its effect on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of this cultivar, an experiment was conducted in two years (2001-2002) in Zarghan area of Fars province. The measured characters were as follows: root yield, sucrose content, percentage of the extractable white sugar, juice purity and impurities (α- amino N, sodium and potassium). The experiment consisted of five treatments replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. The treatments included: 1) Row spacing of 60 cm, cultivated in one row. 2) Row spacing of 50 cm, cultivated in one row. 3) Row spacing of 60 cm, row width of 40 cm and cultivated in two rows. 4) Row spacing of 50 cm, row width of 50 cm and cultivated in two rows. 5) Row spacing of 40 cm, row width of 60 cm and cultivated in two rows. Each plot consisted of four rows with 10 meters length which were planted by planter. During the growth period, numbers of existing and missing plants were recorded. Analysis of variance was done with MSTATC and the means were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The overall results of the two years showed that the effect of treatment on root yield was significant at 5% probability level. The maximum root yield was obtained in the second treatment (row spacing of 50 cm cultivated on one row) with the amount of 78.93. Although, the sugar content of the second treatment was low (14.09%) but due to increased root yield, the amount of white sugar yield was higher (7.59 t/ha). The effect of cultivation pattern on the impurities (potassium and α-amino N) was significant, but not significant for sugar content, percentage of extractable white sugar, percentage of sugar extraction, and white sugar yield.