Title : The response of some productivity and quality traits of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) to organic and potassium fertilizers in Syria
Abstract:
The production of forage crops is very important for livestock production in Syria, which contributes largely to the national income. Animal production in Syria depends mainly on natural range which is affected by rain fluctuations and low-quality grasses. This necessitates the introduction of irrigated forage crops in the irrigated schemes and in farms around cities like Damascus. There are many constrains facing forage production in Syria, like lack of information of forage cultivars and technological packages. Suggested solutions for these problems are application of technological packages, integration of animal production with forage production and introduction of new forage species of high yield (Al Jbawi, 2014) especially during periods of forage shortage like late winter and early summer. Fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the focus of attention as forage crop in Syria. However, recommended agronomic practices for maximizing productivity are limited. The study was conducted on summer date (1st of September), during 2016/2017 season, to study the effect of organic and potassium fertilizer on the productivity traits of fodder beet, assigned in randomized completely block design (RCBD), arranged in split plot design with three replicates. The organic treatments (control, manure, sea weed extracts) were assigned in the main plots, while potassium treatments (90, 120, and 160 pure unit of K2O/ha) were distributed randomly in the sub plots. The results of analysis of variance ANOVA showed a significant (P≤0.05) effect of potassium treatment on root and shoot weight per plant, root and shoot crude protein contents. The best treatment was K90 to get the best productivity and quality traits. In terms of organic treatments, the sea weed extracts surpassed the other treatments significantly.
