Productivity, Quality and Yield Stability of Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris l.) Varieties under Surface and Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Newly Reclaimed Sandy Soils
Abstract
Gehan Sh. Bakhoum, Elham A. Badr, Gehan A. Amin, Sabreen K. Pibars and Mervat Sh. Sadak
Objective: Efficient irrigation management combined with suitable cultivars is essential for improving sugar beet productivity and quality under water-limited conditions. This study evaluated the effects of surface drip irrigation (SDI) and subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) on growth characteristics, yield, and quality traits of three sugar beet varieties (Heba, Sirana, and Peti) over two successive growing seasons.
Methods: Two field experiments were conducted during two winter seasons of 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 at Research and Production Station of the National Research Centre, El-Nubaria El-Behera Governorate. The experiment was arranged using split-plot design with three replications and data were analyzed using the combined analysis of both seasons.
Results: The results demonstrated that SSDI significantly improved growth characteristics, particularly root diameter and biomass accumulation, compared with SDI. Root and sugar yields were also markedly increased under SSDI. Among the tested varieties, Heba exhibited superior performance, recording the highest values of growth parameters, total biomass, root yield, and sugar yield, followed by Sirana, while Peti showed the lowest performance. A significant interaction between irrigation systems and varieties was observed, where the combination of SSDI and Heba produced the highest root and sugar yields. Quality parameters were also significantly affected; SSDI reduced sodium and α-amino nitrogen contents while maintaining acceptable sugar concentrations, resulting in improved technological quality.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that subsurface drip irrigation combined with a high-performing cultivar such as Heba represents an effective strategy to enhance sugar beet productivity, quality, and water-use efficiency under newly reclaimed sandy soil conditions.