Investigation and comparison of yield, morphological characteristics and productivity between two fodder beet(Beta vulgaris L.) in Golestan province

Investigation and comparison of yield and morphological characteristics between two fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Golestan province
Introduction:
Fodder beet can be used as a new and valuable product to provide fodder needed by livestock. It can be used for dry forage, pasture, silage, seed production and human nutrition (Lee et al., 2004). American agricultural department also recommend different fodder beets cultivars to the farmers who seek the cultivation of forages with high economic and biological performance in dry and semi dry areas of this country (Fasahat et al., 2019) . Due to its high production potential, optimum nutritional value, and the ability to be preserved as a dry hay and silage, fodder beet can be grown in many areas of Iran with different climate conditions for forage production (Taleghani et al., 2020). But, these findings need to be refined, improved and tested for local climatic, soil and crop conditions. The aim of this experiment was to determine the best cultivar from compairing of morphological and yield of two cultivars in autumn cultivation of fodder beet in Kordkuy and Bandar Torkman regions.

Materials and Methods:
This research was conducted in Golestan province during the 2021-2022 growing season. This research performed in Kordkoy and Bandar-Torkeman. Experiments consisted of two fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.), The number of planting lines was 100 with a length of 100 meters and 50 cm interval between the lines. To measure traits 10 bushes were randomly harvested by using quadrate. The total surface area under cultivation was measured. To find crop production of fodder beet cultivars the results were compared using t-test.
Results and Discussion:
The mean comparison of yield and morphological parameters of two new fodder beet varieties (Beta vulgaris L.) showed that Kara, new fodder beet variety in Kordkuy had a plant height of 139.94 cm, which was 51.19% taller than Timbale cultivar. Timbale produced greater root diameter (13.1 mm) root length and number of leaf (45.05) compared to Kara cultivar. The mean comparison of fresh yield of two fodder beet varieties showed significant differences among the varieties. Fresh forage production of Timbale with a yield of 182.96 ton ha-1 was 48.02% greater compared to Kara cultivar, which gave a yield of 87.86 ton ha-1. The mean comparison of dry yield showed significant differences among the varieties. Dry forage production of Timbale (22.25 ton ha-1) was 43.68% higher than the Kara cultivar, which produced a dry forage yield of 12.53 ton ha-1). Also, the fodder beet varieties of Timbale was superior in terms of morphological parameters as compared to the Kara cultivar. Forage beet cultivation in the country so far has been based on the use of seeds of local mass and only Kara cultivar has been introduced as the first forage cultivar in Iran, which needs to be improved to achieve new cultivars (Taleghani et al., 2020). It indicates that the new fodder beet plants grow better and produce higher yield components.
Conclusion:
Overall, the findings of the study showed that Timbale variety performed better relative to Kara. The fresh forage and dry forage production of the new variety (Timbale ) were greater than Kara cultivar. It could be concluded that, by using new fodder beet variety during autumn cropping season, higher yield per surface area might be attained.
Acknowledgments
I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, and the sugar beet seed institute (SBSI), Karaj, for their guidance.
Key words: fodder beet, autumn planting, morphological traits, yield
References
Fasahat, P. Rezaei, J. Hasanvandi, M. S. Mirzaei, M. R. Saberi, A. R. Nadali, F. 2019. Evaluation of new fodder beet hybrids for qualitative and quantitative traits. Final report of research project sugar beet seed institute. 24 pages. . (In Persian).
Lee, D.W., Hanna, G., Buntin, D., Dozier, W., Timper, P., and Wilson, J. P. 2004 . Pearl millet for grain, University of Georgia, USA.
Taleghani, D., Noshad, H., Aghashahi, A. R., Mostofi, M. R. and Saberi, A. R. 2020. The effects of sowing date and variety on autumn fodder beet quantitative and qualitative yield in Mazandaran and Golestan. Final report of research project sugar beet seed institute. 47 pages. (In Persian).