Sugar beet genotype response to soil compaction stress

Eleven sugar beet genotypes were tested for their performance under different soil compaction levels. The genotypes used were three inbreds, three commercial varieties widely cropped in Greece, four experimental hybrid varieties and two multigerm OP lines. The experiment was conducted in pots in glasshouse. Pots were filled with soil and after placing the seed at a depth of 3 cm, the compaction pressure was applied. Two soil types, two initial soil water contents and seven pressure levels ranging from a minimum pressure up to 400 kPa were the factors studied in a randomised complete block experiment with four replications. Results showed that sugar beet is sensitive to compaction although low compaction pressures (less than 200 kPa) seemed to be beneficial. From the genotypes tested inbreds were more sensitive to pressure effects than hybrids. Differences among hybrid varieties were observed indicating that response to soil compaction effect could be genotypically affected. This was further confirmed by the different response between the multigerm open polinated varieties