EFFECT OF BALANCED FERTILIZATION OF NPK ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUGAR BEET

Two field trials were carried out at Sakha Research Station, Kafr EI-Sheikh Governorate in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons, to study the effect of twenty seven treatments representing the combination between three levels of phosphorus (zero, 15 and 30 kg P20s/fed), three nitrogen levels (60, 80 and 100 kg N/fed) and three potassium levels (zero, 24 and 48 kg K20/fed) on yield and quality of sugar beet. Gazella variety was used in both seasons. A split plot design in four replications was used. The results showed that N levels significantly increased root and sugar yields in the e and 2`⁴¹ seasons. Sucrose percentage was statistically Increased by P levels In the 2ⁿ¹ season. Root length, root and sugar yields were positively increased by K-fertilizer in both seasons, while sucrose percentage was significantly increased in the 2¹⁴ season only. Interaction of N x P levels significantly increased root fresh weight in both seasons while root length and sucrose% were markedly influenced in the e season.