Influence of agriculture sulphur and boron on growth and productivity of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Two filed experiments were conducted during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 in a private farm, Sennouris district, Fayoum, Egypt, to study the effect of sulphur and boron on morphological characteristics, plant water status (RWC and MSI), leaf photosynthetic pigments content, leaf N, P, K, S and B contents and yield and its segments of red beet plants (Beta vulgaris L.). The experimental design used was a split-plot in randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Two agricultural Sulphur (95% S) levels (0 and 150 kg fed-1) were distributed in the main plots, while boron concentrations (0,50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm) were randomly allocated to the sub-plots. Each experimental unit covered an area of 16.8 m2. During soil preparation, sulphur was broadcasted, while boron concentrations were foliarly applied to run off, three times; 30, 45 and 60 days after seed sowing. Soil supplemented with 150 kg fed-1 sulphur gave the highest significant values on previously mentioned measurements as compared to soil without sulphur treatment, except leaf area leaf-1. Whereas, Soil supplemented with sulphur showed a decreased level of leaf chlorophyll b and roots yield fed-1 for < 4 cm diameter. Foliar application of boron at 200 ppm was significantly recorded higher mean values of previously mentioned measurements as compared to other concentrations. While foliar spraying with boron at concentration of 50 ppm gave higher values in number of roots for < 4 cm diameter per 1 m2 and the concentration of 400 ppm boron was given higher mean values in fresh weight of roots fed-1 for < 4 cm diameter.