Effect of Zinc and Boron on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet

A.S. Mitu, M.R.U. Rashed and G.M. A. Hossain
Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute(BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna,Bangladesh
Regional Sugarcrop Research Station (RSRS), Thakurgaon, Bangladesh 

The most important biochemical and physiological functions of Zn in plants include: participation in biosynthesis of tryptophan – the precursor of auxins; control of carbonic anhydrase; activation of RNA polymerase; stabilization of cytoplasmic membranes; control of oxidative stress through superoxide dismutase and increased plants resistance to water stress (Khan et al. 2004, Lošák et al. 2011, Hafeez et al. 2013). Among the micronutrients, the sugar beet exhibits the greatest sensitivity to the deficiency of boron, manganese and copper in the soil. Compared to these elements, sugar beet appears to be a very good forager for Zn and deficiency symptoms are not very common (Christenson and Draycott 2006). Nevertheless, there are some current data in the literature indicating that it may be a factor limiting beet yield, in particular in alkaline soils (Neamatollahi et al. 2013, Goborah et al. 2014). In the countries of the temperate zone, except pH, Zn deficiency in sugar beet may be caused by such factors as: lack of organic manure; high frequency of sensitive crops cultivation; too high phosphorus (P) rates (Barker and Eaton 2015). Barłóg et al. (2016) reported higher beet and sugar yield with zinc application in sugar beet. Hence, an attempt has been taken to find out the effect of application of zinc and boron on growth, yield and quality of sugarbeet under AEZ 1 and AEZ 11 of Bangladesh.
Objective: Find out the effect of zinc and boron application on yield and quality of Sugarbeet

Materials and Methods
A field study was conducted at BSRI Farm (AEZ-11) 24° 8' 0" North, 89° 5' 0" East and RSRS Farm, Thakurgaon (AEZ-1) 26.0208°N 88.4667°E during 2017-2018 cropping season to Finding out the effect of zinc and boron application on yield and quality of sugar beet. 
The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with two factors having three replications. The treatment of the experiment comprised of Factor A: Dose of Zinc Fertilizer: Zn1= Control (No zinc fertilizer), Zn2= Soil application of Zn at the rate of 3 kg ha-1, Zn3= Soil application of Zn at the rate of 4 kg ha-1, Factor B: Dose of Boron Fertilizer: B1= Control (No Boron fertilizer), B2= Soil application of B at the rate of 1 kg ha-1, B3= Soil application of B at the rate of 2 kg ha-1, B4= Foliar application of B 150 ppm. The experimental plot size was 4m×5m. The sugar beet variety Shuvra was used in the experiment as a test crop. All other fertilizers and manures were applied in each plot as blanked dose as for AEZ 1: Mustard oil cake- 750, N159, P23, K135, S16, Zn4.5, B 1.8 kg ha-1 and for AEZ 11: Mustard oil cake- 750, N177, P69, K143, S 7.5, Zn 3.23, B 1.8 kg ha-1. Necessary intercultural operations were done throughout the cropping season for proper growth and development of the crop. Collected data were compiled and tabulated in proper form and were subjected to statistical analysis by using the computer-based package Statistix 10 program for Windows Version. 

Soil and Meteorological conditions: 
Factors	BSRI (Ishurdi)	RSRS (Thakurgaon)	
Soil Type	High Ganges river floodplain soil	Old Himalayan Piedmont loam	
Soil Conditions 	Silty Clay Loam	Sandy Loam	
Soil pH	7.65	5.65	
Precipitation	Yearly: 561 mm	Yearly: 727 mm	
Average Temperature	Winter: 110 C -240 C, 
Summer: 230 C -360 C	Winter: 100 C -230 C, 
Summer: 240 C -370 C	
Vegetation period 	January-May	November-April	

Results and Discussion
Effect of zinc on yield and quality of sugar beet at Ishurdi (BSRI) and Thakurgaon (RSRS)
Results presented in Table 01 showed that all the growth and quality parameters of sugar beet have no significant effect due to different zinc treatments though the highest yield of beet was obtained in treatment Zn3 at both locations where soil application of Zn was applied at the rate of 4 kgha-1.

 Table 01. Effect of zinc on yield and quality of sugarbeet at Ishurdi (BSRI) and Thakurgaon (RSRS)
Zinc	Ishurdi (BSRI)	Thakurgaon (RSRS)	
	pol
(%)	Yield
(tha-1)	CR
(%)	Brix
(%)	Yield
(tha-1)	CR
(%)	
Zn1=Control	10.74	116.12	2.43	15.44	99.33	5.43	
Zn2=soil application at the rate of 3 kg ha-1	10.68	117.02	2.10	15.60	99.04	5.57	
Zn3= soil application at the rate of 4 kg ha-1	10.79	117.75	2.57	15.57	108.95	4.93	
LSD (0.05)	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS	

Note: CR% =percentage of plants with crown rot
	Pol%= percentage of Sugar content 
	Brix%= Refractometric dry substance
	OC%= percentage of Organic Carbon
	BSRI =Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi, Pabna,Bangladesh
	RSRS =Regional Sugarcrop Research Station, Thakurgaon, Bangladesh 

Effect of Boron on yield and quality of sugarbeet at Ishurdi(BSRI) and Thakurgaon(RSRS)
Results presented in Table 02 showed at Ishurdi site sugar content (Pol%) and yield of sugar beet do not differ significantly due to different Boron treatment. Though the highest yield of beet was found in treatment B4 (119.31 tha-1). The lowest crown rot (1.01%) was found in treatment B4 where Boron was applied as foliar application at the rate of 150 ppm. At Thakurgaon site Refractometric dry substance (Brix%) of beet do not differ significantly due to different treatments. The highest yield of beet recorded in treatment B3 (113.50tha-1) which was statistically at par with all other treatments except control. The lowest crown rot (3.01%) was found in treatment B4 where Boron was applied as foliar application at the rate of 150 ppm. 

Table 02. Effect of Boron on yield and quality of sugarbeet at Ishurdi(BSRI) and Thakurgaon(RSRS)
Boron	Ishurdi(BSRI)	Thakurgaon(RSRS)	
	pol
(%)	Yield
(tha-1)	CR
(%)	Brix
(%)	Yield
(tha-1)	CR
(%)	
B1=Control	10.96	115.11	2.75 ab	15.77	86.85 b	6.02 a	
B2= soil application at the rate of 1 kg ha-1	10.29	115.12	3.22 a	15.38	101.09 ab	6.77 a	
B3 = soil application at the rate of 2 kg ha-1	10.62	118.33	2.49 b	15.66	113.50 a	5.44 a	
B4= Foliar application at the rate of 150 ppm	11.04	119.31	1.01 c	15.32	108.33 a	3.01 b	
LSD (0.05)	NS	NS	0.58	NS	19.52	1.68	
Note: CR% =percentage of plants with crown rot
	Pol%= percentage of Sugar content 
	Brix%= Refractometric dry substance
	OC%= percentage of Organic Carbon
	BSRI =Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi, Pabna,Bangladesh
	RSRS =Regional Sugarcrop Research Station, Thakurgaon, Bangladesh 

Interaction effect of zinc and boron on yield and quality of Sugarbeet at Ishurdi(BSRI) and Thakurgaon(RSRS)
Results presented in Table 02 showed at Ishurdi site sugar content (Pol%) of sugar beet do not differ significantly due to different interactions of Boron and Zn. The highest yield of beet was found in interactions of Zn1B3 (124.50 tha-1) which was statistically at par with all other treatments except control and Zn3B2. The lowest crown rot (3.01%) was found in interaction of Zn1B4 (0.81%). 

Table 03. Interaction effect of zinc and boron on yield and quality of sugarbeet at Ishurdi(BSRI) and Thakurgaon(RSRS) 
Treatment	Ishurdi(BSRI)	Thakurgaon(RSRS)	
	Pol (%)	Yield (tha-1)	CR	Yield (tha-1)	Brix (%)	CR	
Zn1 B1	11.37	107.17 c	3.23ab	84.60b	15.53	7.22a	
Zn1 B2	9.88	116.83abc	2.98ab	84.63b	15.81	6.60abc	
Zn1 B3	10.51	124.50 a	2.70abc	110.92ab	15.47	5.57a-d	
Zn1 B4	11.19	116.00abc	0.81e	117.17ab	14.93	2.31e	
Zn2B1	10.49	118.00abc	1.95cd	90.41b	15.66	6.90a	
Zn2B2	10.77	116.33abc	3.08ab	107.34ab	15.03	6.95a	
Zn2 B3	10.25	115.00abc	2.33bc	99.11ab	15.80	4.71a-e	
Zn2B4	11.18	118.77ab	1.02de	99.31ab	15.90	3.74cde	
Zn3B1	11.03	120.17ab	3.07ab	85.54b	16.10	3.94b-e	
Zn3B2	10.23	112.18bc	3.58a	111.31ab	15.30	6.77ab	
Zn3 B3	11.12	115.50abc	2.44bc	130.47a	15.73	6.04abc	
Zn3B4	10.75	123.17ab	1.19de	108.51ab	15.13	2.97de	
LSD (0.05)	NS	11.53	1.00	33.81	NS	2.92	
Note: CR% =percentage of plants with crown rot
	Pol%= percentage of Sugar content 
	Brix%= Refractometric dry substance
	OC%= percentage of Organic Carbon
	BSRI =Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi, Pabna,Bangladesh
	BSRI =Regional Sugarcrop Research Station, Thakurgaon, Bangladesh 

At Thakurgaon site Refractometric dry substance (Brix%) do not differ significantly due to different interactions. The highest yield of beet recorded in interactions Zn3B3 (130.47tha-1) which was statistically at par with all other treatments except control, Zn1B2, Zn2B1 and Zn3B1. The lowest crown rot (2.31%) was found in interaction of Zn1B4. Initial and post-harvest nutrient status of soil at Ishurdi and Thakurgoan were presented in table 04 and 05.

Table 04. Initial and post-harvest nutrient status of soil at Ishurdi(BSRI)
Treatment	pH	OC%	N%	P (ppm)	K (meq%)	S (ppm)	
Initial soil	7.50	0.67	0.07	7.0	0.19	17.0	
Post-harvest Soil	
Zn1 B1	7.50	0.65	0.065	8.0	0.17	18.0	
Zn1 B2	7.55	0.66	0.060	7.5	0.17	18.0	
Zn1 B3	7.55	0.63	0.065	7.3	0.18	18.5	
Zn1 B4	7.50	0.64	0.066	7.5	0.17	18.0	
Zn2B1	7.60	0.65	0.070	7.5	0.18	18.5	
Zn2B2	7.55	0.65	0.070	7.8	0.19	17.7	
Zn2 B3	7.50	0.63	0.066	7.5	0.18	18.5	
Zn2B4	7.55	0.65	0.065	8.0	0.19	19.0	
Zn3B1	7.60	0.65	0.067	7.5	0.18	18.0	
Zn3B2	7.58	0.65	0.068	7.5	0.18	18.5	
Zn3 B3	7.55	0.64	0.065	7.3	0.19	18.5	
Zn3B4	7.50	0.65	0.070	8.0	0.19	18.0	
Critical level value				7.0	0.08	8.0	

Table 05. Initial and post-harvest nutrient status of soil at Thakurgaon(RSRS)
Treatment	pH	OC%	N%	P (ppm)	K (meq%)	S (ppm)	
Initial soil	5.60	1.24	0.11	25.0	0.15	26.0	
Post-harvest Soil	
Zn1 B1	5.30	1.25	0.11	23.0	0.16	24.0	
Zn1 B2	5.30	1.18	0.12	24.0	0.17	24.5	
Zn1 B3	5.55	1.20	0.12	25.0	0.16	25.0	
Zn1 B4	5.35	1.25	0.12	25.0	0.16	25.0	
Zn2B1	5.40	1.25	0.11	26.5	0.15	24.5	
Zn2B2	5.30	1.28	0.12	25.5	0.16	24.0	
Zn2 B3	5.35	1.22	0.12	25.5	0.1	25.5	
Zn2B4	5.40	1.30	0.12	25.0	0.16	25.0	
Zn3B1	5.50	1.26	0.11	25.3	0.16	25.5	
Zn3B2	5.50	1.25	0.12	24.8	0.15	25.0	
Zn3 B3	5.55	1.26	0.12	25.6	0.17	25.5	
Zn3B4	5.38	1.28	0.11	26.0	016	24.5	
Critical level value				7.0	0.08	8.0	

Conclusion
From the above results it was observed that all the growth and quality parameters of sugar beet have no significant effect due to different zinc treatments though the highest yield of beet was obtained in treatment Zn3 at both locations where soil application of Zn was applied at the rate of 4 kgha-1. Results showed that at Ishurdi(BSRI) site sugar content (Pol%) and yield of sugar beet do not differ significantly due to different Boron treatment. Though the highest yield of beet was found in treatment B4(119.31 tha-1). The lowest crown rot (1.01%) was also found in treatment B4 where Boron was applied as foliar application at the rate of 150 ppm. At Thakurgaon(RSRS) site Refractometric dry substance (Brix%) do not differ significantly due to different boron treatments. The highest yield of beet recorded in treatment B3 (113.50tha-1) where boron was applied as soil application at the rate of 2 kg ha-1. The lowest crown rot (3.01%) was found in treatment B4. Results revealed that at Ishurdi(BSRI) site sugar content (Pol%) of sugar beet do not differ significantly due to different interactions of Boron and Zn. The highest yield of beet was found in interactions of Zn1B3 (124.50 tha-1). The lowest crown rot (3.01%) was found in interaction of Zn1B4 (0.81%). At Thakurgaon(RSRS) site Refractometric dry substance (Brix%) do not differ significantly due to different interactions. The highest yield of beet was recorded in interactions Zn3B3 (130.47tha-1. The lowest crown rot (2.31%) was found in interaction of Zn1B4. 

References:

Barker V.A., Eaton T.E. (2015): Zinc. In: Barker A.V., Pilbeam D.J. (eds.): Handbook of Plant 	Nutrition. London, New York, Boca Raton, CRC Press, 537–564. 
Barłóg P., Grzebisz W., Feć M., Łukowiak R., Szczepaniak W. (2010): Row method of sugar beet (Beta 	vulgaris L.) fertilization with multicomponent fertilizer based on urea-ammonium nitrate 	solution as a way to 	increase nitrogen efficiency. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 11: 	225–234.
Christenson D.R., Draycott A.P. (2006): Nutrition – Phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, sodium, calcium, 	magnesium and micronutrients – Liming and nutrient deficiencies. In: Draycott A.P. (ed.): 	Sugar Beet. Bury St. Edmunds, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 185–219.
Gobarah M.E., Tawfik M.M., Zaghloul S.M., Amin G.A. (2014): Effect of combined application of 	different micronutrients on productivity and quality of sugar beet plants (Beta vulgaris L.). 	International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, 3: 589–598.
Hafeez B., Khanif Y.M., Saleem M. (2013): Role of zinc in plant nutrition – A review. American Journal of 	Experimental Agriculture, 3: 374–391.
Lošák T., Hlušek J., Martinec J., Jandák J., Szostková M., Filipčík R., Maňásek J., Prokeš K., Peterka J., 	Varga L., Ducsay L., Orosz F., Martensson A. (2011): Nitrogen fertilization does not affect 	micronutrient uptake in grain maize (Zea mays L.). Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section 	B – Soil and Plant Science, 61: 543–550
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Abstract
A field study was conducted at Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI) Farm (AEZ-11) and Regional Sugarcrop Research Station (RSRS) Farm, Thakurgaon (AEZ-1) in during 2017-2018 cropping season to finding out the effect of zinc and boron application on yield and quality of sugarbeet. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with two factors having three replications. The treatment of the experiment comprised of Factor A: Dose of Zinc Fertilizer: Zn1= Control (No zinc fertilizer), Zn2= Soil application of Zn at the rate of 3 kg ha-1, Zn3= Soil application of Zn at the rate of 4 kg ha-1. Factor B: Dose of Boron Fertilizer: B1= Control (No Boron fertilizer), B2= Soil application of B at the rate of 1 kg ha-1, B3= Soil application of B at the rate of 2 kg ha-1, B4= Foliar application of B 150 ppm. Results showed that all the growth and quality parameters of sugar beet have no significant effect due to different zinc treatments though the highest yield of beet was obtained in treatment Zn3 at both locations where soil application of Zn was applied at the rate of 4 kgha-1. Results showed that at Ishurdi (BSRI) site sugar content (Pol%) and yield of sugar beet do not differ significantly due to different Boron treatment. Though the highest yield of beet was found in treatment B4(119.31 tha-1). The lowest crown rot (1.01%) was also found in treatment B4 where Boron was applied as foliar application at the rate of 150 ppm. At Thakurgaon (RSRS) site Refractometric dry substance (Brix%) do not differ significantly due to different treatments. The highest yield of beet recorded in treatment B3 (113.50tha-1) which was statistically at per with all other treatments except control. The lowest crown rot (3.01%) was found in treatment B4 where Boron was applied as foliar application at the rate of 150 ppm. At Ishurdi(BSRI) site sugar content (Pol%) of sugar beet do not differ significantly due to different interactions of Boron and Zn. The highest yield of beet was found in interactions of Zn1B3 (124.50 tha-1) which was statistically at par with all other treatments except control and Zn3B2. The lowest crown rot (3.01%) was found in interaction of Zn1B4 (0.81%). At Thakurgaon(RSRS) site Refractometric dry substance (Brix%) do not differ significantly due to different interactions. The highest yield of beet was recorded in interactions Zn3B3 (130.47tha-1) which was statistically at par with all other treatments except control Zn1B2, Zn2B1 and Zn3B1. The lowest crown rot (2.31%) was found in interaction of Zn1B4. 

Key words: Refractometric dry substance (Brix%), Sugar content (Pol%), Crown Rot

Corresponding author: Atiya Sharmin Mitu (A.S. Mitu), BSc in Ag., MSc, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), e-mail: atiyasharmin08@gmail.com