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Boron application affects seed yield and seed quality of sugar beets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2007

C. DORDAS ,
G. E. APOSTOLIDES  and
O. GOUNDRA
C. DORDAS*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
G. E. APOSTOLIDES
Affiliation:
Hellenic Sugar Industry SA, 59032 Platy, Imathias, Greece
O. GOUNDRA
Affiliation:
Hellenic Sugar Industry SA, 59032 Platy, Imathias, Greece
*
*To whom all correspondence should be addressed. Email: [email protected]
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Summary

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of the most important sugar crops worldwide. Despite the fact that sugar beet crop has high requirements for boron (B), the effect of B applications on seed yield and on seed quality is not known. A 2-year field study was conducted to determine whether soil and foliar B applications during anthesis increase seed set, final seed yield and improve seed quality of sugar beets. Boron solutions were applied at four rates (0, 245, 490 and 735 mg/l of B) as foliar applications and at two rates (1·5 and 3 kg/ha of B) as soil applications to field plots exhibiting no vegetative symptoms of B deficiency. Foliar B application increased the concentration of B in vegetative and reproductive tissues much more than soil application. In addition, foliar B application increased the seed yield by an average of 10% in the first year and by an average of 44% in the second year. The mean seed weight was affected by B application as it was increased in both years. The proportion of larger seeds (>5·00 and 4·5–5·00 mm) increased with increasing application of B. Moreover, seed quality was affected and the proportion of abnormal seedlings was decreased with B application. However, seed vigour was not affected by B application. These data indicate that foliar B application can improve seed yield and seed quality of sugar beet grown for seed production. However, the physiological basis of this effect remains unknown.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 145 , Issue 4 , August 2007 , pp. 377 - 384
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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