Effect of irrigation with wastewater on root yield and yield components of sugar beet

Abstract In recent years, water deficit and environmental hazards of wastewater have promoted the development of wastewater reuse in irrigation of agricultural lands in many arid and semi-arid regions. An experiment was conducted out at the experimental farm of a leaven factory, where the effect of treated wastewater on yield and yield components of beet (Beta vulgaris L.) was studied during the growing season of 2013. Three, irrigation levels (I1: irrigation with wastewater once in whole experimental period, I2: irrigation with wastewater twice in whole experimental period and I3: irrigation with wastewater in whole experimental period) and six wastewater percentage levels (C1: 15% wastewater, C2: 30% wastewater, C3: 45% wastewater, C4: 60% wastewater, A: pure water and P: pure wastewater) were studied in a randomized complete block factorial design with three replications. Results illustrated that number of irrigations with wastewater did not have significant effect on root diameter, whereas it had significant effect on root length, sugar percentage, sugar yield and root yield. Also results showed that wastewater percentage did not have significant effect on root diameter but it had significant effect on root length, sugar percentage, sugar yield and root yield. The maximum increase of root yield was observed in irrigation with wastewater whole over growing season and plants which irrigated with 15% wastewater. Results also illustrated that irrigation with wastewater whole over the growth period had the most significant effect on yield components.