EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MICROELEMENTS AND POTASSIUM LEVELS ON GROWTH, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND QUALITY CHARACTERS OF SUGAR BEET (Beta vulgaris L.) UNDER NEWLY RECLAIMED SOILS

Two field experiments were conducted during two successive seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 at Nubaria area, Alexandria Governorate, in order to study the effect of foliar application of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentrations of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 L /400 L water/fed and potassium fertilizer levels (24, 36 and 48 kg K2O/fed.) on yield and physiological characters of sugar beet plant (Beta vulgaris L.) under newly reclaimed soils. A split plot design with four replications was used. Results revealed that foliar application of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of 1.5 l/fed recorded highest root diameter and root fresh weight/plant, as well as, sucrose%, root and sugar yields/fed., while, foliar application of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of at 2 l/fed gave tallest root and percentage of root impurities (a- amino-N, Na and K). Fertilization of potassium at rate of 48 kg K2O/fed gave highest values of root length, root diameter, the percentage of a-N, Na, K as well as root and sugar yields/fed in both seasons. On the contrary, a gradual reduction in sucrose% had been detected with the increase in potassium level over 36 kg K2O/fed, while application of potassium at rate of 24 kg K2O/fed recorded the lowest values in all characters in both seasons. The interaction between foliar spraying of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of 1.5 l/fed and potassium fertilizer at rate of 48 kg K2O /fed significantly affected root and sugar yields/fed and sucrose% in both seasons. It could be summarized that, application of potassium at rate of 48 kg K2O /fed and foliar spraying of B, Fe, Zn and Mn at the concentration of 1.5 l/fed significantly k,affected root diameter and root fresh weight, root and sugar yields/fed. as well as sucrose%