Physicochemical Characteristics and Yield of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cv. “California-Kws” Influenced with Irrigation Intervals

Management practices are very important for increasing yield of sugar beet crop, amongst them irrigation intervals play an important role. The farmers do not have sufficient knowledge about the suitable irrigation time (interval). The aim of study was to explore the best irrigation time for sugar beet crop. Hence, this study examines the physiological response of sugar beet cv. California-kws with different irrigation intervals at the research farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal university Dera Ismail Khan Pakistan during 2013-14 and 2014-15. The study was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having six treatments i.e. (I1= 05 days’, I2= 10 days’, I3= 15 days’, I4= 20 days’, I5= 25 days’, and I6= 30 days’’ interval) and three replications. Data were recorded on total chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, plant height (cm), number of leaves plant -1, leaf length (cm), leaf area (cm2), leaf weight plant-1(g), root weight plant-1 (g), root/ top ratio, root length (cm), root diameter (cm), sucrose%, tss %, purity %, leaf yield (t ha-1), root yield (t ha-1), sugar yield (t ha-1) and harvesting index. The results indicated significant variation among the treatments for all parameters during both years of study. Among the treatments I3 (15 days’’ interval) improved almost all the studied characters. However, increasing interval improves the sucrose% and TSS% during both years. Hence I3 (15 days’’ interval) is the best for obtaining highest beet yield and quality under Dera Ismail Khan Conditions.