Effect of drought periods and potassium fertilization rates on some water relations and yield of sugar beet crop at North Nile delta, Egypt. [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present investigation has been conducted at the experimental farm of El-Karada water management Research Station, (31°05' N latitude and 30° 56' E longitude), Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, North Nile Delta, Egypt, during 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 growing seasons, to study the overall impact of drought periods and potassium fertilization rates on some water relations, yield and its components of sugar beet crop at North Delta. A split plot design with four replications has been used; the Main plots were assigned to the drought periods before harvesting (three, six and nine weeks). Potassium fertilization treatments (0, 48 and 72 kg K02fed-1) were allocated in the sub-plots. The main results in this study can be summarized in the following points. 1- The highest average value of water productivity (13.68 kg root.m-3), irrigation water productivity ( 9.28 kg root.m-3) and gross sugar yield (7.26 ton sugar fed-1) and sources percentage of sugar beet (20.50%) could be achieved with the water stressed treatment ( drought period of9 weeks before harvesting). 2- Potassium fertilization had a highly significant effect on both root and sugar yields, water productivity and irrigation water productivity, source percentage and juice purity during the two growing seasons of sugar beet crop. The deficit of sugar beet yield related to drought for long periods before harvesting, the potassium fertilization can compensate it.

Summary in Arabic.

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