Nitrogen Application and Leaf Harvesting Improves Yield and Nutritional Quality of Beetroot

Abstract

<jats:p>Beetroot (<jats:italic>Beta vulgaris</jats:italic>), commonly known as table beet, is used as a staple in the diet of many people through the consumption of the entire plant, leaf, and the root. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) application and leaf harvest percentage on the yield and quality of roots and leaves of beetroot. The treatment design was a randomized complete block design with five levels of N (0, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg·ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>) combined with three leaf harvest percentages (0, 30, and 50) and replicated three times. The first leaf harvest was initiated 35 days after transplanting (DAT) by removing the outer matured leaves and the second harvest occurred 80 DAT by removing all the leaves. The results showed increases in leaf and root yield with an increase in N application. Nitrogen application at 90 and 120 kg·ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> increased fresh leaf weight, leaf number, and fresh and dry root weight, including root diameter and length with the exception of leaf area which was significantly higher at 120 kg·ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> N. Magnesium and iron leaf content, and N root content were significantly improved by the application of 120 kg·ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> N. Leaf harvest percentage did not have a significant effect on leaf yield or leaf and root mineral content. However, dry root weight was significantly reduced by the 50% leaf harvest. Leaf harvest at 30% or 50% increased total protein content of the roots of beetroot, whereas an increase in N application decreased concentration of total proteins. Results demonstrate that leaf and root yield, as well as magnesium, zinc, and iron leaf content, increased with the application of 120 kg·ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> N, whereas 30% leaf harvest did not negatively affect root yield.</jats:p>

Nitrogen Sources Take Roles on Different Growth Balance of Red Beet (Beta vulgaris)

“…Application of nitrogen at 75 kg/ha gave 48%, while 150 and 225 kg/ha promoted 50% higher yield than control. These condition was in accordance with the findings of Mampa, Maboko, Soundy, & Sivakumar (2017), that stated the supply of N rate at 120 and 150 kg/ha increase fresh weight and number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of roots, diameter, and length of roots on red beet. On the other hands, the applicatiion of nitrogen less than 90 kg/ha decreased red beet production for 4.2 t/ha or 8.2%.…”

“…Red beets are responsive to nutrients where fertilization can increase plant biomass, but it is not always followed by an increase in betacyanin content. High N application increases plant biomass but decreases betacyanin (Mampa, Maboko, Soundy, & Sivakumar, 2017). In B. vulgaris L. subsp.…”

Influence of Interaction Use of Organic Manuring and Mineral Nitrogen on Sugar Beet Production in a Salt Affected Soil

“…The highest values of nitrogen concentration % of sugar beet (4.20%) was resulted from the higher application rate of mineral nitrogen rate (100 kg/fed N) while the lowest ones (3.70%) were achieved with the lower application of (60 kg/fed N). These results are in agreement with Abdel-Motagally and Attia (2009), Osman et al (2010), Osman (2011), Grzegorzewski (2017), Mampa et al (2017).…”

Challenges and Prospects for Building Resilient Disease Management Strategies and Tactics for the New York Table Beet Industry

“…In broad-acre crops, foliage reaches approximately 0.5 m in height and canopy closure often occurs by approximately midseason (Figure 1b). Nitrogen availability and the length of the growing season also have significant effects on yield and the distribution of root sizes [20] and nutritional quality of the roots [21]. In New York, broad-acre table beet crops rarely receive supplementary water due to the frequent rainfall over spring and summer deterring growers from investigating in irrigation infrastructure [2].…”