Effect of the Drip Tape and Furrow Irrigation Methods and Different Levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet Seed

In the present experiment, the effects of nitrogen and phosphor fertilizer application in two methods of furrow and trickle irrigation on the yield and quality of sugar beet seed cultivar 7233 were studied. The experiment was conducted as a split factorial in a completely randomized block design with three replications during 2003 and 2004 in Hamedan province. Main plots were allocated to irrigation methods (furrow and trickle irrigation systems) and sub plots to four nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, 180 kg/ha) and three phosphor levels (0, 30, 60 kg/ha). Yield, quality and technological particular of sugar beet seed were evaluatged. The results of combined analysis showed that total consumed water in trickle irrigation system relative to furrow irrigation decreased about 50%, however, water use efficiency in trickle irrigation was 0.59 kg/m3 and twice as much as furrow method. By increasing nitrogen in trickle irrigation relative to furrow irrigation, the highest sugar beet seed yield and sugar beet seed yield standard was achieved. In trickle irrigation, nitrogen application did not reduce significantly germination percentage of sugar beet seed. However, by increasing nitrogen level in furrow irrigation method no significant difference for germination percentage was detected. Yield seed was affected by nitrogen and also by the interaction of nitrogen × year and irrigation × phosphor × year interaction. The interaction between irrigation systems with nitrogen levels and interaction effect of irrigation × phosphor × year were significant. Seed phosphor concentration was not affected by any treatment. Seed potassium concentrations were affected by nitrogen levels and the interaction effect of phosphor and year. Sodium content of sugar beet seeds were affected by irrigation method, interaction of irrigation × year and the interaction of irrigation × nitrogen × phosphor × year. In conclusion, to produce maximum standard sugar beet seed with good germination percentage under high water use efficiency, trickle irrigation systems with application of 120 kg/ha, nitrogen fertilizer may suggest for similar conditions.