Variety and Harvesting Date Effect on Yield, Yield Components and Some Technological Characteristics of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The experiment was established to define the effects of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars (Dozer, Dioneta, Cassandra, Leila and Agnessa) and harvesting dates (September 8, September 27, October 10 and November 1 in 2011; September 12, October 1, October 20 and November 8 in 2012) in 2011 and 2012 growing seasons in split plot design with 3 replications. It was determined that the effect of sugar beet cultivars was significant for all investigated parameters. All the investigated characteristics except root weight were significantly affected by harvesting dates (HD). Cultivar x harvesting date interaction was significant for biomass yield, root yield, dry matter, ash content, sugar content and α–N content. As the harvest date delayed, biomass yield, root yield, dry matter, ash content, sugar yield and α–N content significantly increased, but sugar content decreased. The results generally indicated that biomass yield, root yield, dry matter, ash content, sugar yield and α– N content decreased in earlier harvest dates of HD1 and HD2. When harvest date was delayed from HD1 to HD4, the sugar content was reduced approximately 9%