Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem
Salinity combined with a deficiency of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) negatively affect sugar beet yield and quality. A two-year (2017/18–2018/19) field trial was undertaken to investigate the mediating role of soil-applied K [120 (K<sub>120</sub>) and 180 (K<sub>180</sub>) kg h...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/4/780 |
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| author | Ali A. A. Mekdad Ahmed Shaaban Mostafa M. Rady Esmat F. Ali Fahmy A. S. Hassan |
| author_facet | Ali A. A. Mekdad Ahmed Shaaban Mostafa M. Rady Esmat F. Ali Fahmy A. S. Hassan |
| author_sort | Ali A. A. Mekdad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Salinity combined with a deficiency of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) negatively affect sugar beet yield and quality. A two-year (2017/18–2018/19) field trial was undertaken to investigate the mediating role of soil-applied K [120 (K<sub>120</sub>) and 180 (K<sub>180</sub>) kg ha<sup>−1</sup>] and foliar-applied Zn [0 (Zn<sub>0</sub>), 150 (Zn<sub>150</sub>), and 300 (Zn<sub>300</sub>) ppm] in alleviating salt-stress (8.60 dS m<sup>−1</sup>) based on sugar beet morpho-physiological responses, sugar yield and quality, and K-use efficiency in the BTS 301 and Kawemira cultivars. Application of K<sub>180</sub> × Zn<sub>300</sub> was more effective and resulted in 23.39 and 37.78% higher root yield (RY) and pure sugar yield (PSY), respectively, compared to control (K<sub>120</sub> × Zn<sub>0</sub>). It also enhanced sucrose, pure sugar (PS), and purity but decreased impurities (α-amino N, K, and Na), alkalinity index, and sugar loss. However, the K<sub>120</sub> × Zn<sub>300</sub> recorded higher K-use efficiency. PSY correlated positively (<i>r</i> = 0.776 **, 0.629 **, 0.602 **, 0.549 **, and 0.513 **) with RY, root fresh weight (RFW), top yield, PS, and root diameter, respectively. The stepwise and path-coefficient analysis demonstrated that RY, PS, and RFW were the most influential PSY-affected attributes. Integration of K<sub>180</sub> + Zn<sub>300</sub> can correct K and Zn deficiencies in the soil and mitigate salt-stress effects via improving sugar beet growth, yield and quality, and K-use efficiency. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:17:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-30cf610c4706408b92d585d7a62a4887 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:17:07Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-30cf610c4706408b92d585d7a62a48872023-11-21T15:46:11ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952021-04-0111478010.3390/agronomy11040780Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-EcosystemAli A. A. Mekdad0Ahmed Shaaban1Mostafa M. Rady2Esmat F. Ali3Fahmy A. S. Hassan4Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, EgyptAgronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, EgyptBotany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, EgyptDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi ArabiaSalinity combined with a deficiency of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) negatively affect sugar beet yield and quality. A two-year (2017/18–2018/19) field trial was undertaken to investigate the mediating role of soil-applied K [120 (K<sub>120</sub>) and 180 (K<sub>180</sub>) kg ha<sup>−1</sup>] and foliar-applied Zn [0 (Zn<sub>0</sub>), 150 (Zn<sub>150</sub>), and 300 (Zn<sub>300</sub>) ppm] in alleviating salt-stress (8.60 dS m<sup>−1</sup>) based on sugar beet morpho-physiological responses, sugar yield and quality, and K-use efficiency in the BTS 301 and Kawemira cultivars. Application of K<sub>180</sub> × Zn<sub>300</sub> was more effective and resulted in 23.39 and 37.78% higher root yield (RY) and pure sugar yield (PSY), respectively, compared to control (K<sub>120</sub> × Zn<sub>0</sub>). It also enhanced sucrose, pure sugar (PS), and purity but decreased impurities (α-amino N, K, and Na), alkalinity index, and sugar loss. However, the K<sub>120</sub> × Zn<sub>300</sub> recorded higher K-use efficiency. PSY correlated positively (<i>r</i> = 0.776 **, 0.629 **, 0.602 **, 0.549 **, and 0.513 **) with RY, root fresh weight (RFW), top yield, PS, and root diameter, respectively. The stepwise and path-coefficient analysis demonstrated that RY, PS, and RFW were the most influential PSY-affected attributes. Integration of K<sub>180</sub> + Zn<sub>300</sub> can correct K and Zn deficiencies in the soil and mitigate salt-stress effects via improving sugar beet growth, yield and quality, and K-use efficiency.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/4/780white sugarnutrients managementnon-sugar impuritiespath-coefficientsaline soils |
| spellingShingle | Ali A. A. Mekdad Ahmed Shaaban Mostafa M. Rady Esmat F. Ali Fahmy A. S. Hassan Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem Agronomy white sugar nutrients management non-sugar impurities path-coefficient saline soils |
| title | Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem |
| title_full | Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem |
| title_fullStr | Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem |
| title_short | Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem |
| title_sort | integrated application of k and zn as an avenue to promote sugar beet yield industrial sugar quality and k use efficiency in a salty semi arid agro ecosystem |
| topic | white sugar nutrients management non-sugar impurities path-coefficient saline soils |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/4/780 |
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