Evaluation of Different Tillage Methods on Soil Physical Properties and Growth Characteristics of Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

In order to study the effect of soil preparation methods on the uniform growth of sugar beet, and its effect on the machine harvesting and soil physical properties, a field experiment was established based on RCBD design with four treatments and four replications in west Azerbaijan agriculture and natural resources research center during three growing seasons of 2010-2012. Treatments were mould board plowing at 15-20 cm depth, mould board plowing at 25-30 cm depth, chisel plowing at 25-30 cm depth and sub soiling at 35-40 cm depth plus moldboard plowing at 20 depth. Parameters such as soil cone index, soil bulk density, root length, root diameter, multi-root number, depth of root development and root yield were measured. Results revealed that different tillage had no significant effect onsoil physical properties. The highest root yield belonged to second and forth treatment (44.73 and 47.56 t ha-1, respectively). Also, lowest root lost in harvesting related to second and forth treatment (0.866 and 0.958 t ha-1, respectively). Overall, it was concluded that different tillage enhanced growth characteristics of sugar beet and had little effect on soil physical properties.

Keywords