The Effect of Seeding depths, Nitrogen placement methods and Biochar on the qualitative and quantitative attributes of sugar beet.

Abstract

Proper seeding depth insure optimum plant population along with suitable nitrogen application method having biochar doses helps in improving soil physcio chemical properties which in turn improve yield and yield components of sugar beet. A field experiment on the “effects of seeding depth, nitrogen and biochar placement on selected quantitative and qualitative attributes of sugar beet” was conducted at Sugar Crop Research Institute (SCRI) Mardan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan during 2011-12 and 2012-13. Sugar beet seeds were sown on flat top of ridges. The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split plot treatment arrangement. Seeding depths (1, 2, 3, and 4cm) was the main plot, nitrogen and biochar application method was the subplot. Each treatment combination was replicated 4 times. Sugar beet variety KWS-1451 was seeded in rows 60 cm apart with each plot having 6 rows (3.6 m) and a length of 4 m. In row seed spacing was 20 cm. A uniform rate of 120 kg ha-1 phosphorus was applied pre-plant to the entire study area. Nitrogen was applied at rate of 140 kg ha-1 to subplot from urea were applied by band or broadcast methods in two splits at seeding and V30 leaf stage. Biochar was also applied at 25 and 50 t ha-1. The data collected on various parameters were statistically analyzed using planned mean comparisons to explain significant variations. Seeding depths significantly (P≤0.05) affected all the yield and its related parameters. Sugar beet seed placed near soil surface (1cm, 2cm) showed significant germination and significantly increased leaf area, leaf area index (≅11%), beet root length, foliage weight plant-1, beet root weight plant-1, foliage yield, beet root yield, total biomass yield and sugar yield when planted at 2 cm depth as compared to 3 cm and 4 cm depth. Nitrogen application method significantly affected most of the sugar beet yield parameters. Band placement method enhanced leaf area, leaf area index, beet root length, foliage weight plant-1, beet root weight plant-1, foliage yield (≅11%), beet root yield, total biomass yield and sugar yield (≅11%) as compared to broadcast. The addition of biochar has significantly improved soil fertility resulting an increase in leaf area, leaf area index, beet root length, foliage weight plant-1, beet root weight plant-1, foliage yield, beet root yield, total biomass yield and sugar yield when 50 t ha-1 was incorporated. Mean comparisons of the treatments ( broadcast + 25t ha-1 biochar, broadcast + 50 t ha-1, band + 25t ha-1 biochar and band + 50t ha-1 biochar ) showed considerable improvement in leaf area (≅49%), leaf area index (≅61%), beet root length (≅38%), beet root diameter (≅46%), foliage weight plant-1 (≅64%), beet root weight plant-1 (≅52%), foliage yield (≅73%), beet root yield (≅63%), total biomass yield (≅58%) and sugar yield (≅67%). Conclusively, the incorporation of banded nitrogen 140 kg ha-1 integrated with 25 t ha-1 biochar applied at 2 cm depth produced net income of Rs.5,39,044/- ha-1, however, an affirmed nitrogen band together with 50 t ha-1 biochar at 2cm depth produced net income of Rs.4,90,901/- ha-1 as best combination for sustainable production in sugar beet. The incorporation of 50 t ha-1 biochar gave low income as compared to 25 t ha-1 but potentially benefy the series of upcoming crops yields by improving soil physico-chemical properties.