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Image processing and machine‐learning (ML) techniques are essential for the detection of diseases and pests in plants. This study explored the application of quantum ML (QML) algorithms for the early detection of Cercospora beticola leaf disease in sugar beet, which causes significant impact on global sugar production. Using a dataset of 1065 images (739 diseased and 326 healthy), we extracted 70 ML statistical features, including 10 from the grey‐level co‐occurrence matrix (GLCM) and 60 colour‐related features. Performance evaluations of classical ML algorithms, such as random forest (RF; 91.95% accuracy) and extreme gradient boosting (91.95% accuracy), demonstrated strong results compared to quantum approaches. Notably, the quantum support vector classifier (QSVC) achieved an accuracy of 85% with perfect recall of 1.00, while the variational quantum classifier (VQC) recorded an accuracy of 88.73%. Dimensionality reduction via principal component analysis reduced features from 70 to 5, enabling effective classification with competitive results: ML (RF) 91.41%, VQC with limited‐memory Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno with box constraints (L_BFGS_B) 88.73% and QSVC 85%. These findings highlight the potential of QML algorithms in improving agricultural disease identification and aiding in the advancement of more efficient, sustainable farming techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizomania is the most destructive sugar beet disease in the world, and in recent years, it has widespread in most of the sugar beet growing areas in Iran. Since the control of this soil-borne disease is a difficult task, the use of resistant genotypes is known as the best measure against the disease. The ultimate goal of sugar beet breeders is to produce genotypes that can be used in both infected and non-infected fields without any reduction in terms of yield and quality. Twenty-one sugar beet genotypes along with four controls were evaluated in randomized complete block design with four replications in fields with natural infection to rhizomania in five research stations. Important sugar beet traits including root yield, sugar yield, sugar content, and white sugar yield were evaluated for two years (2021 and 2022). For all traits, location was the main source of variation that spanned 33 to 55% of the total sum of the square followed by the location×year×genotype accounted for 3–40% of the variation. Based on the results of analysis of variance, multivariate stability parameters were computed to evaluate the genotypes' stability. The first two principal components (IPCA1 and IPCA2) generated by GGE biplot contributed for 31.3 and 17.5% difference in genotype×environment interaction for root yield, respectively. According to the GGE biplot, genotypes RM-11 and RM-12 were identified as the winning genotypes across environments for both root yield and white sugar yield traits whereas AMMI model identified RM-14 and RM-9 (for root yield) and RM-1 (for white sugar yield) as best genotypes. Based on the ideal genotype ranking, RM-11 and RM-10 were the best performer with a high mean yield as well as stability in the studied environments. The biplot rendered using the weighted average of absolute scores (WAASB) and root yield and white sugar yield identified RM-11 and RM-9 as superior genotypes in terms of yield and stability. The selected genotypes can be used in breeding programs to transfer the disease resistance and cultivar development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous global escalation of soil salinization areas presents severe challenges to the stability and growth of agricultural development across the world. In-depth research on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), an important economic and sugar crop with salt tolerance characteristics, is crucial for to determine its salt-tolerance mechanisms, which has important practical implications for production. This review summarizes the multifaceted effects of salt stress on sugar beet, ranging from individual plant responses to cellular and molecular adaptations. Sugar beet exhibits robust salt-tolerance mechanisms, including osmotic regulation, ion balance management, and the compartmentalization of toxic ions. Omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, post-translational modification omics and metabolomics, have played crucial roles in elucidating these mechanisms. Key genes and pathways involved in salt tolerance in sugar beet have been identified, paving the way for targeted breeding strategies and biotechnological advancements. Understanding these mechanisms not only enhances our knowledge of sugar beet's adaptation strategies but also provides insights for improving salt tolerance in other crops. Future studies should focus on analyzing gene expression changes in sugar beet under salt stress to gain insight into the molecular aspects of its salt-tolerance mechanisms. Meanwhile, the effects of different environmental conditions on sugar beet adaptation strategies should also be investigated to improve their growth potential in salinized soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beet chlorosis virus (BChV), beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) and beet yellows virus (BYV) transmitted by Myzus persicae cause virus yellows (VY) disease in sugar beet. M. persicae also transmits beet mosaic virus (BtMV), which is often associated with VY. So far, field trials to determine the effect of infection time point on yield have used 100% inoculation density and little is known about the yield effect of BtMV in mixed infections with VY species under field conditions. Therefore, we conducted sugar beet field trials using a new inoculation protocol with densities of 3%–10% in combination with different infection time points; we also tested the effect of BtMV/VY species mixed infections on white sugar yield (WSY). We observed a wide range of WSY losses for BChV (3.6%–26.8%), BMYV (1.7%–22.0%) and BYV (3.7%–37.0%) depending on infection time point, with no further significant losses after BBCH Stages 18/19, 35 and 39, respectively. Both the time of infection and area under disease progress curve showed excellent correlation with WSY losses for all VY species. BtMV had no significant effect on WSY losses either as a single infection or in mixed infections with BChV or BYV compared to control or single infections of these viruses. However, BMYV/BtMV mixed infection showed significantly increased WSY loss (+13.6%) compared to single BMYV infection. Our results can be used to predict yield losses in practical fields and to develop economic control thresholds for decision support systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Many studies have shown that pesticide use has negative environmental effects. Therefore, alternative measures to manage insect pests and protect plant health are needed. Potential tools include chemicals that cause behavioral changes in pests and are already a part of the integrated pest management toolbox. Aphids are a significant pest in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). They cause visual damage and act as vectors for various phytopathogens that reduce the yield. When attacked by predators, aphids emit an alarm pheromone, which causes other aphids to stop feeding, move away, and sometimes even abandon the host plant. We tested whether the artificially release of this pheromone could be an environmentally friendly alternative to prevent aphid infestation in sugar beet. Application of the pheromone resulted in reduced aphid densities in experimental sugar beet patches at two out of three experimental sites. This indicates the potential of this pheromone as an aphid repellent in sugar beet production. However, more research is required to ensure the reliability of this method. The negative impact of pesticides on the environment and the potential of pest species to develop pesticide resistance make it necessary to explore new methods of pest control. Pheromones and other behavior-modifying semiochemicals are already important in integrated pest management (IPM). (E)-ß-farnesene (EBF) is a semiochemical that acts as an alarm pheromone in aphids. Upon perception of EBF, aphids stop feeding, move away, and sometimes even abandon the host plant. The aphids Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae are significant crop pests and vectors of many harmful phytopathogens affecting sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Field trials were conducted at different locations in Germany to test whether dispensers containing a mixture of farnesene isomers (FIMs) including EBF were able to reduce the infestation of these species on sugar beet. Our results showed a reduction in aphid abundance in the FIM-treated patches in two out of three sites. Therefore, we hypothesize that FIM dispensers could prevent aphid infestation and could be used in combination with other IPM measures. However, more research is required to increase the effect and ensure the reliability of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Seed-application of the natural products protects sugar beet and wheat plants against infection with plasmodiophorid-transmitted viruses and thus may represent an efficient, environmentally friendly, easy and cost effective biocontrol strategy. In times of intensive agriculture, resource shortening and climate change, alternative, more sustainable and eco-friendly plant protection strategies are required. Here, we tested the potential of the natural plant substances Glycyrrhiza glabra leaf extract (GE) and the rhamnolipid Rhapynal (Rha) applied to seeds to protect against infection of sugar beet and wheat with soil-borne plant viruses. The soil-borne Polymyxa betae- and Polymyxa graminis-transmitted viruses cause extensive crop losses in agriculture and efficient control strategies are missing. We show that GE and Rha both efficiently protect plants against infection with soil-borne viruses in sugar beet and wheat when applied to seeds. Moreover, the antiviral protection effect is independent of the cultivar used. No protection against Polymyxa sp. was observed after seed treatment with the bio-substances at our analysis time points. However, when we applied the bio-substances directly to soil a significant anti-Polymyxa graminis effect was obtained in roots of barley plants grown in the soil as well as in the treated soil. Despite germination can be affected by high concentrations of the substances, a range of antiviral protection conditions with no effect on germination were identified. Seed-treatment with the bio-substances did not negatively affect plant growth and development in virus-containing soil, but was rather beneficial for plant growth. We conclude that seed treatment with GE and Rha may represent an efficient, ecologically friendly, non-toxic, easy to apply and cost efficient biocontrol measure against soil-borne virus infection in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beets account for 30% of global sugar production each year, and their byproducts are an important source of bioethanol and animal feed. Sugar beet is an important cash crop in Inner Mongolia, China. To achieve high yields and sugar content, it is essential to supply nitrogen fertilizer in accordance with the growth characteristics of sugar beet, thereby enhancing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer utilization. A two-year experiment was carried out in the experimental field of the Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences. The impact of varying ratios of nitrogen-based fertilizer to topdressing on nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen levels in the 20–60 cm soil layer, as well as the activities of protease, urease, catalase, and sucrose in the 20–40 cm soil layer were investigated during the rapid leaf growth period and root and sugar growth period. Results indicated that different ratios of nitrogen-based fertilizer to topdressing significantly influenced the levels of nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen, and the activities of protease and urease in the 0–20 cm soil layer, with these effects diminishing as soil depth increased. The activities of catalase and sucrose were minimally impacted. Nitrogen was applied at 150 kg/ha during the growth period of sugar beet, according to the growth characteristics of sugar beet to maximize nitrogen utilization efficiency. Topdressing was completed with irrigation at the rapid growth stage. The nitrogen-based fertilizer to topdressing ratio of 6:4 resulted in optimal crop yield and sugar yield of sugar beet under shallow drip irrigation. Additionally, the activities of protease and urease in different soil treatments were significantly different, and the activities of protease and urease in the 0–40 cm soil layer were identified as useful soil physiological indicators for nitrogen utilization in sugar beet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate nutrient sources and optimized doses of plant nutrients for space and lunar farming have remained key challenges prompting investigations to sort out biologically viable options including human urine. Therefore, a trial was performed to compare the hydroponic growth of sugar beets using a standard nutrient solution and the same nutrient solution with a 10% replacement of an artificial urine solution that had been concentrated using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). The response variables included yield-contributing traits and root parameters (plant height, stem diameter, length and fresh weight of leaf and root, whole plant fresh weight), along with beet characteristics (diameter, length, and fresh weight at harvest). The results revealed that 10% synthetic urine treatment produced significantly taller plants (33%, 3%, and 8% at the 4th, 6th, and 10th week after sowing, respectively) and recorded 52% and 40% greater leaf width at the 4th and 6th weeks, respectively, compared to the control. In contrast, 10% replacement with synthetic urine in the nutrient performed statistically below par compared to the control treatment by producing 9% and 17% lower leaf width at the 8th and 10th weeks, respectively. Additionally, at the harvest, 10% synthetic urine treatment gave taller plants with greater stem length and root length (2.3%, 8.6%, and 59%, respectively) than the control. Moreover, the replacement treatment remained superior by showing higher root weight and stem diameter at harvest but performed below par compared to the control in leaf width and whole plant fresh weight. At harvest, both treatments remained statistically non-significant in terms of beet length, however the control surpassed synthetic urine treatment by yielding 37% and 103% higher width and fresh weight of beets, respectively. Based on recorded findings, it may be inferred that synthetic urine holds potential as a valuable plant nutrient source for producing sugar beets in an indoor hydroponic system, though not comparable in some respects with the control (standardized plant nutrient medium) for some plant measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Listy Cukrovarnicke a Reparske is the property of VUC Praha a.s. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Listy Cukrovarnicke a Reparske is the property of VUC Praha a.s. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Listy Cukrovarnicke a Reparske is the property of VUC Praha a.s. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences is the property of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Storage rots are a significant cause of postharvest losses for the sugar beet crop, however, intrinsic physiological and genetic factors that determine the susceptibility of roots to pathogen infection and disease development are unknown. Research, therefore, was carried out to evaluate the disease development in sugar beet roots caused by two common storage pathogens as a function of storage duration and storage temperature, and to identify changes in the expression of defense genes that may be influencing the root susceptibility to disease. To evaluate root susceptibility to disease, freshly harvested roots were inoculated with Botrytis cinerea or Penicillium vulpinum on the day of harvest or after 12, 40, or 120 d storage at 5 or 12 °C and the weight of rotted tissue present in the roots after incubation for 35 d after inoculation were determined. Disease susceptibility and progression to B. cinerea and P. vulpinum increased with storage duration with elevations in susceptibility occurring more rapidly to B. cinerea than P. vulpinum. Also, B. cinerea was more aggressive than P. vulpinum and caused greater rotting and tissue damage in postharvest sugar beet roots. Storage temperature had minimal effect on root susceptibility to these rot-causing pathogens. Changes in defense gene expression were determined by sequencing mRNA isolated from uninoculated roots that were similarly stored for 12, 40 or 120 d at 5 or 12 °C. As susceptibility to rot increased during storage, concurrent changes in defense-related gene expression were identified, including the differential expression of 425 pathogen receptor and 275 phytohormone signal transduction pathway-related genes. Furthermore, plant resistance and hormonal signaling genes that were significantly altered in expression coincident with the change in root susceptibility to storage rots were identified. Further investigation into the function of these genes may ultimately elucidate methods by which storage rot resistance in sugar beet roots may be improved in the future.

Abstract Rhizomania is the most destructive sugar beet disease in the world, and in recent years, it has widespread in most of the sugar beet growing areas in Iran. Since the control of this soil-borne disease is a difficult task, the use of resistant genotypes is known as the best measure against the disease. The ultimate goal of sugar beet breeders is to produce genotypes that can be used in both infected and non-infected fields without any reduction in terms of yield and quality. Twenty-one sugar beet genotypes along with four controls were evaluated in randomized complete block design with four replications in fields with natural infection to rhizomania in five research stations. Important sugar beet traits including root yield, sugar yield, sugar content, and white sugar yield were evaluated for two years (2021 and 2022). For all traits, location was the main source of variation that spanned 33 to 55% of the total sum of the square followed by the location×year×genotype accounted for 3–40% of the variation. Based on the results of analysis of variance, multivariate stability parameters were computed to evaluate the genotypes’ stability. The first two principal components (IPCA1 and IPCA2) generated by GGE biplot contributed for 31.3 and 17.5% difference in genotype×environment interaction for root yield, respectively. According to the GGE biplot, genotypes RM-11 and RM-12 were identified as the winning genotypes across environments for both root yield and white sugar yield traits whereas AMMI model identified RM-14 and RM-9 (for root yield) and RM-1 (for white sugar yield) as best genotypes. Based on the ideal genotype ranking, RM-11 and RM-10 were the best performer with a high mean yield as well as stability in the studied environments. The biplot rendered using the weighted average of absolute scores (WAASB) and root yield and white sugar yield identified RM-11 and RM-9 as superior genotypes in terms of yield and stability. The selected genotypes can be used in breeding programs to transfer the disease resistance and cultivar development.

The economic success of sugar beet production depends largely on the control of various pathogens and pests. Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) has historically been a major threat to sugar beet growers because of the high yield losses and the fact that the virus is transmitted by a soilborne protist vector that cannot be controlled. Resistance breeding began after the disease was first described in 1959 and led to the identification of two monogenic resistance genes. Rz1 was the first resistance gene to be introduced into all varieties, enabling sugar beet production under high disease pressure. However, the widespread use of a single resistance gene resulted in high selection pressure on the virus population. As a result, resistance‐breaking of Rz1 was first reported in the early 2000s in the United States and later in many other countries. The mechanism of resistance‐breaking is based on mutations in the viral pathogenicity factor P25 and the presence of an additional RNA5 species. The second resistance gene being used in breeding is Rz2, which is based on a different resistance mechanism and is highly effective at sites where Rz1 has been overcome by the virus. In addition, Rz2 was the first rhizomania resistance gene to be cloned, and the triple gene block I of BNYVV was identified as the corresponding avirulence gene. This article highlights that resistance breeding has been key to the control of rhizomania, but history also shows that re‐emergence of the disease due to resistance‐breaking remains a permanent threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Natural-based materials represent green choices for biomedical applications. In this study, resin pulp capping restoration enclosing strengthening silica and bioactive portlandite nanofillers were prepared from industrial wastes. Silica nanoparticles were isolated from rice husk by heat treatment, followed by dissolution/precipitation treatment. Portlandite nanoparticles were prepared by calcination of carbonated lime waste followed by ultrasonic treatment. Both were characterized using x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray, and transmission electron microscopy. For preparing pulp capping restoration, silica (after silanization) and/or portlandite nanoparticles were mixed with 40/60 weight ratio of bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Groups A, B, and C enclosing 50 wt.% silica, 25 wt.% silica + 25 wt.% portlandite, and 50 wt.% portlandite, respectively, were prepared. All groups underwent microhardness, compressive strength, calcium release, pH, and apatite forming ability inspection in comparison to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) positive control. In comparison to MTA, all experimental groups showed significantly higher compressive strength, group B showed comparable microhardness, and group C showed significantly higher calcium release. Groups B and C showed prominent hydroxyapatite formation. Thus, the preparation of economic, silica-fortified, bioactive pulp capping material from under-utilized agricultural residues (rice husk) and zero-value industrial waste (carbonated lime from sugar industry) could be achieved.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different fertilizer treatments on the growth, yield, and nutrient content of two sugar beet cultivars, Aksu (Kazakhstan) and Yampol (Poland), cultivated in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. The experiment was conducted using a complete randomized block design with three replicates, comprising six treatments: control (without fertilizer), N120P120K90, and N130P130K130 for both cultivars. The soil's physical and chemical properties were analyzed, revealing a foothill light chestnut soil with favorable nutrient levels. Results indicated that the N130P130K130 treatment significantly increased soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, leading to enhanced sugar beet growth, nutrient uptake, and yield. Both cultivars responded positively to the increased nutrient levels, with the N130P130K130 treatment showing the highest yield of 785.6 tons/ha for Aksu and 802.5 tons/ha for Yampol. Furthermore, nutrient content in tubers and leaves was significantly higher in the N130P130K130 treatment compared to other treatments. These findings underscore the importance of balanced nutrient management tailored to specific cultivars for optimizing sugar beet productivity and soil fertility in diverse agro-climatic conditions. Adopting balanced mineral nutrient management approaches could offer promising solutions to enhance sugar beet productivity and sustainability. Future research should focus on exploring long-term effects and integrated nutrient management strategies for sustainable sugar beet cultivation.

Rhizomania destroys sugar beet globally, but breeding disease-resistant genotypes is crucial in fighting it. In this study, 13 modern genotypes were examined based on the list provided by the Iraniai Seed Registration and Certification Institute. Genotypes grown in a randomized complete block design, with four replications in Iran's Karaj, Mashhad, Miandoab, Shiraz, and Hamedan stations. Results revealed that F-21375 and F-21092 genotypes achieved the highest white sugar yield in all five investigated stations. The results of additive mean effect multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis based on white sugar yield showed that the additive effects of genotype and environment and the multiplicative effect of G×E accounted for 13.11, 51.29, and 10.60% of the total data variance, respectively. The AMMI stability parameters identified the F-21376 genotype as a stable variety that produces a high white sugar yield in five locations. Also, the first two components of the interaction effect (G×E) explained 80.70% of the variance. The biplot analysis showed that F-21376 was the genotype that produced the greatest white sugar yield and stability in infected conditions. Based on the results of the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), F-21375, and F-21372 genotypes were selected as ideal genotypes. Finally, it can be concluded that two genotypes, F-21375 and F-21376, can be introduced as high-yielding and disease-resistant genotypes in the beet cultivation areas due to their white sugar yield and stability in experimental environments.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing biochar application is vital for enhancing crop production and ensuring sustainable agricultural production. A 3‐year field experiment was established to explore the effects of varying the biochar application rate (BAR) on crop growth, quality, productivity and yields. BAR was set at 0, 10, 50 and 100 t ha−1 in 2018; 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 t ha−1 in 2019; and 0, 10, 25 and 30 t ha−1 in 2020. Crop quality and growth status and production were evaluated using the dynamic technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution with the entropy weighted method (DTOPSIS‐EW), principal component analysis (PCA), membership function analysis (MFA), gray relation analysis (GRA) and the fuzzy Borda combination evaluation method. RESULTS: Low‐dose BAR (≤ 25 t ha−1 for cotton; ≤ 50 t ha−1 for sugar beet) effectively increased biomass, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), water and fertility (N, P and K) productivities, and yield. Biochar application increased the salt absorption and sugar content in sugar beet, with the most notable increases being 116.45% and 20.35%, respectively. Conversely, BAR had no significant effect on cotton fiber quality. The GRA method was the most appropriate for assessing crop growth and quality. The most indicative parameters for reflecting cotton and sugarbeet growth and quality status were biomass and LAI. The 10 t ha−1 BAR consistently produced the highest scores and was the most economically viable option, as evaluated by DTOPSIS‐EW. CONCLUSION: The optimal biochar application strategy for improving cotton and sugar beet cultivation in Xinjiang, China, is 10 t ha−1 biochar applied continuously. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finely divided carbon char products offer a cost-effective method for the safening of herbicides in soil. In this investigation, two contrasting carbon char sources: Virgin Activated Charcoal (VAC) and Recovered Carbon Black (RCB) products were evaluated for safening of metsulfuron, sulfentrazone and pyroxasulfone herbicides in soil using sugar beet bioassay, and of rimsulfuron using perennial ryegrass bioassay. Plants were grown for seven days in WhirlPack® bags in soil with added carbon char product and added herbicide, and the root or shoot lengths were measured. The VAC was more efficacious in herbicide safening than the RCB. For the VAC, concentrations in soil (wt/wt) as low as 0.375% fully deactivated metsulfuron, sulfentrazone and pyroxasulfone, while for the RCB product a gradual degree of safening was observed, except for pyroxasulfone that was completely deactivated by both VAC and RCB. The VAC at concentrations of 3% and above fully deactivated rimsulfuron, while RCB did not. The two carbon char products examined in this study had different physical properties, of which the specific surface area (91 and 515 m2 g−1 for the RCB and VAC, respectively) and specific surface area of pores (75 and 247 m2 g−1 for RCB and VAC, respectively) showed the greatest difference. Higher surface area promoting greater sorption may explain more effective deactivation of herbicides by the VAC. To obtain the same degree of herbicide safening, more RCB would be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inner Mongolia, a major region in China for growing sugar beet, faces challenges caused by unscientific water and fertilizer management. This mismanagement restricts the improvement of sugar beet yield and quality and exacerbates water waste and environmental pollution. This study aims to evaluate the effects of reduced water and fertilizer on the growth and physiological metabolism of sugar beet taproot. Field experiments were conducted in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, in 2022 and 2023, using a split-plot design with three levels each of fertilization and irrigation. The study analyzed the effects of reduced water and fertilizer treatments on fresh taproot weight, respiration rate, energy metabolism, respiratory enzyme activity, and gene expression in sugar beet taproot. It was found that a 10% reduction in fertilizer significantly increased the beet taproot fresh weight. Further research revealed that during the rapid leaf growth phase and the taproot and sugar growth period, a 10% reduction in fertilizer upregulated HK and IDH gene expression and downregulated G6PDH gene expression in the beet taproot. This increased HK and IDH activities, decreased G6PDH activity, enhanced the activity of the EMP-TCA pathway, and inhibited the PPP. Taproot weight was positively correlated with the respiration rate, ATP content, EC, and ATPase, HK, and IDH activities, thereby increasing the taproot growth rate and taproot fresh weight, with an average increase of 4.0% over two years. These findings introduce a novel method for optimizing fertilizer use, particularly beneficial in water-scarce regions. Implementing this strategy could help farmers in western Inner Mongolia and similar areas improve crop yield and sustainability. This study offers new insights into resource-efficient agricultural practices, highlighting the importance of customized fertilization strategies tailored to local environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of the most important sugar crops, accounting for nearly 30% of the world's annual sugar production. And it is mainly distributed in the northwestern, northern, and northeastern regions of China. However, Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) is the most serious and destructive foliar disease during the cultivation of sugar beet. In plants, the bZIP gene family is one of important family of transcription factors that regulate many biological processes, including cell and tissue differentiation, pathogen defense, light response, and abiotic stress signaling. Although the bZIP gene family has been mentioned in previous studies as playing a crucial role in plant defense against diseases, there has been no comprehensive study or functional analysis of the bZIP gene family in sugar beet with respect to biotic stresses. In this study, we performed a genomewide analysis of bZIP family genes (BvbZIPs) in sugar beet to investigate their phylogenetic relationships, gene structure and chromosomal localization. At the same time, we observed the stomatal and cell ultrastructure of sugar beet leaf surface during the period of infestation by Cercospora beticola Sacc (C. beticola). And identified the genes with significant differential expression in the bZIP gene family of sugar beet by qRT-PCR. Finally we determined the concentrations of SA and JA and verified the associated genes by qRT-PCR. The results showed that 48 genes were identified and gene expression analysis indicated that 6 BvbZIPs were significantly differential expressed in C. beticola infection. It is speculated that these BvbZIPs are candidate genes for regulating the response of sugar beet to CLS infection. Meanwhile, the observation stomata of sugar beet leaves infected with C. beticola revealed that there were also differences in the surface stomata of the leaves at different periods of infection. In addition, we further confirmed that the protein encoded by the SA signaling pathway-related gene BVRB_ 9g222570 in high-resistant varieties was PR1, which is closely related to systemic acquired resistance. One of the protein interaction modes of JA signal transduction pathway is the response of MYC2 transcription factor caused by JAZ protein degradation, and there is a molecular interaction between JA signal transduction pathway and auxin. Despite previous reports on abiotic stresses in sugar beet, this study provides very useful information for further research on the role of the sugar beet bZIP gene family in sugar beet through experiments. The above research findings can promote the development of sugar beet disease resistance breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the efficacy of an enzymatic preparation primarily with α-galactosidase activity for improving the quality of white sugar from poor-quality sugar beets. Focused on overcoming raffinose accumulation challenges in sugar beets, especially those harvested prematurely or stored for extended periods, an innovative exploration of enzymatic application in an industrial setting for the first time was conducted. By integrating theoretical calculations and experimental data, the findings reveal that α-galactosidase preparation notably diminishes raffinose content in beet juice, thus enhancing the sucrose yield and overall sugar quality. A reliable method to process lower-quality beets, promising enhanced efficiency in sugar production, was presented. The study also highlights the economic benefits of incorporating enzyme preparation into the production process, demonstrating a notable return on investment and underscoring the potential of enzymatic treatments to address industry challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Crop rotation can effectively alleviate the obstacles of continuous cropping and restore the agroecological balance, and then determining the optimal length of crop rotation is the cornerstone of effective crop rotation. To delve into this issue, we conducted a six-year rotation experiment aimed at exploring how different rotation lengths impact sugar beet yield, soil properties, and microbial communities. Methods: Conduct field experiments to gather rhizosphere soil samples from treatments with different rotation lengths of sugar beet and analyze their physicochemical properties and microbial characteristics. Subsequently, establish a model linking sugar yield with the physicochemical properties and microbial characteristics of the rhizosphere soil. Results: Sugar beet, sugar content, and sugar yield significantly increased while decreasing disease symptoms, with increases in crop rotation length. Longer rotations significantly ameliorated soil acidification and improved soil fertility. On the other hand, extending the crop rotation length significantly altered the community structure of microbial sub-communities with varying abundances. Additionally, the fungal diversity increased and ecological network became more complex, and a multitude of potentially beneficial microbiota were enriched in the rhizosphere soil with rotation length. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that extending the crop rotation length improved soil conditions, and increased sugar beet yield. In addition, we recommend that sugar beet rotation length should be at least three years or more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the integration of advances in biotechnology, genomic research, and the application of molecular markers with classical plant breeding methods has formed the basis of a multidisciplinary field called plant molecular breeding or genome-based plant breeding. This approach is widely used in breeding programs for various crops including sugar beet. The complete sequencing of the B. vulgaris genome provided a valuable tool for sugar beet genomics research. Additionally, advances in genome sequencing, the development of markers based on single nucleotide polymorphisms, and robotic methods for high-throughput genotyping have reduced the cost of genotypic evaluations for sugar beet. In Iran, the most damaging diseases affecting sugar beet include rhizomania, beet cyst nematode, root-knot nematode, and Rhizoctonia. Breeding for resistance to these diseases has been a significant focus. Over the past decades, researchers at the Iranian Sugar Beet Seed Institute and the University of Padua, Italy, have identified RAPD, SCAR, STS, and SNP molecular markers linked to resistance genes for these diseases using sugar beet mapping populations and other genotypes. In recent years, these selected markers have been used for molecular screening of thousands of single plants from various genotypes to determine the presence of the aforementioned resistance genes in breeding populations and commercial hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellowing viruses are an increasing threat to sugar beet cultivation, due to limitations on insecticide usage and climate change. Virus detection, monitoring and resistance breeding are key to secure high sugar beet yields in the future. For this research, a one‐step multiplex reverse transcription (mRT)‐PCR method was designed to detect simultaneously beet mild yellowing virus, beet chlorosis virus, beet yellows virus (BYV), beet mosaic virus and turnip yellows virus. The addition of Luminex xTAG array technology was used as a follow‐up method to increase assay specificity. The one‐step mRT‐PCR was evaluated on 22 field samples with single and mixed virus infections. The xTAG assay works as expected both in a simplex and multiplex setting, except that BYV detection needs optimization in the multiplex setting. In the future, the Luminex xTAG assay would be an excellent method for the detection of beet yellowing viruses due to its high specificity and the potential to increase the number of targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Natural-based materials represent green choices for biomedical applications. In this study, resin pulp capping restoration enclosing strengthening silica and bioactive portlandite nanofillers were prepared from industrial wastes. Silica nanoparticles were isolated from rice husk by heat treatment, followed by dissolution/precipitation treatment. Portlandite nanoparticles were prepared by calcination of carbonated lime waste followed by ultrasonic treatment. Both were characterized using x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray, and transmission electron microscopy. For preparing pulp capping restoration, silica (after silanization) and/or portlandite nanoparticles were mixed with 40/60 weight ratio of bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Groups A, B, and C enclosing 50 wt.% silica, 25 wt.% silica + 25 wt.% portlandite, and 50 wt.% portlandite, respectively, were prepared. All groups underwent microhardness, compressive strength, calcium release, pH, and apatite forming ability inspection in comparison to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) positive control. In comparison to MTA, all experimental groups showed significantly higher compressive strength, group B showed comparable microhardness, and group C showed significantly higher calcium release. Groups B and C showed prominent hydroxyapatite formation. Thus, the preparation of economic, silica-fortified, bioactive pulp capping material from under-utilized agricultural residues (rice husk) and zero-value industrial waste (carbonated lime from sugar industry) could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to conduct an economic analysis of the impact of farm size and farming techniques on improving production efficiency and economic returns for sugar beet crops in El-Minya Governorate. The study analyzed the structure of production cost items to estimate the economic efficiency indicators for different agricultural work patterns and to identify the major problems faced by the farmers in the sample from ElMinya Governorate. The research findings indicated that the average value of seeds used for cultivating sugar beet in the field study sample in El-Minya Governorate was approximately 393 EGP per feddan, which accounted for about 8.09% of the total agricultural production input costs of approximately 4857 EGP per feddan, and about 3.79% of the total variable costs of approximately 10377 EGP per feddan. For small-scale farms using family labor, the cost was about 420 EGP per feddan, representing around 4.24% of the total variable costs and approximately 106.78% of the average sample. For medium-scale farms using family and hired labor, the cost was about 390 EGP per feddan, which is about 3.88% of the total variable costs and approximately 99.24% of the average sample. For large-scale farms using hired labor, the cost was around 370 EGP per feddan, representing about 3.31% of the total variable costs and approximately 94.15% of the average sample. The results also showed that the major problems faced by farmers were the high prices of agricultural inputs, affecting all farmers at a rate of 100%, indicating that costs generally impact all categories of farmers. This was followed by high costs of mechanized labor at 85.6% and increased labor wages at 82.2%, reflecting the growing pressures on farmers to obtain labor services, whether human or mechanized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out in the two successive seasons i.e., 2022/23 and 2023/24 in Sinnuris, ElFayoum Governorate (latitude 29° 27' 34"N and longitude 30°50' 00.6"E) to find out the optimal sowing method and potassium fertilizer level to get the highest yield and quality traits of sugar beet. This work included eighteen treatments represent the combinations of two sowing methods (traditionally, in rows of 0.5 m apart and a manual double-row plantar sowing machine, with 0.35 m between rows) in addition to three potassium fertilizer levels (24, 36 and 48 kg K2O/fed) for planting three monogerm sugar beet varieties, namely Joko, Narmar and Wombat Smart. A randomized complete block design in a split-split plot arrangement was used. The results indicated that sowing sugar beet mechanically using hand planter scored higher values of root and sugar yields/fed and improved the values of sucrose and the extracted sugar % compared to traditional manual sowing method. Increasing potassium levels from 24 to 36 and 48 kg K2O/fed significantly increased in root and sugar yields, as well as harvest index without significant difference between the two higher K+ levels in all measured yield traits in both seasons, except for harvest index in the 1st season. There was a general tendency toward increasing the studied growth characters of sugar beet due to the gradual increase in potassium fertilizer levels. Increasing K levels decreased α-amino N in roots. Insignificant variance was detected between the tested sugar beet varieties and/or sowing methods in their effect on root impurities in terms of Na+, K+, α-amino N and alkalinity coefficient. Under conditions of the present work, sowing sugar beet "Wombat Smart" variety using manual double-row planter for sowing and fertilized it with 36 or 48 kg K2O/fed can be recommended to increase root and sugar yields/fed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current state of development of the domestic sugar market is considered. It is determined that the traditional raw materials for sugar production in Ukraine are sugar beets of domestic production, grown almost in full by agricultural enterprises. It is determined that the price situation in the domestic sugar market is quite predictable, since it is closely related to production volumes, stocks and demand for the sweet product. It is concluded that in order to stabilize the domestic sugar market and weaken Ukraine's dependence on imports of liquid fuels, it is necessary to diversify sugar beet production on the basis of organizing the production of bioethanol from intermediate products of sugar beet processing at the capacities of sugar and distilleries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to investigate the physicochemical properties and mineral substances of sugar. In this plan, the effect of exploitation time in the form of months (October, November, December and January) and days (1, 10, 20 and 30) of exploitation of each month on the characteristics of sugar such as solution color, pH, Brix and ash content It was analyzed with analysis of variance test using spss 26 software. The results showed that the color of the solution, Brix, sugar percentage and ash content were significant (p<0.05). The results of the analysis of the technological quality of beet pulp selected from 8 different regions by Betalyzer showed that the results of the three elements sodium, potassium and nitrogen show that the sugar beets of region H have the lowest amount of the mentioned elements and the sugar beet of region B has the highest amount of elements in They had the amount of millimol/100 grams of sugar beet pulp. On the other hand, the results of the amount of alkalinity, percentage of sugar or sucrose, extraction coefficient and molasses are among the results of the technological quality analysis of the samples of sugar beet pulp by Betalyzer, respectively 8.56 for the samples delivered from region A and 3.03 for the samples delivered from region H. In terms of sugar percentage and degree of extraction, region F has the highest amount compared to other regions, so that the percentage of sugar was 18.72 and the degree of extraction was 89.41, which is in contrast to the beets received from regions E, which have the lowest sugar percentage (13.7). percent) and extraction degree (84.47). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) disease is one of the most important diseases affecting sugar beet production in Egypt; caused by Cercospora beticola Sacc. The sensitivity of five beet cultivars were examined for their CLS infection: "Farida, Oscar Poly, Pleno, Arthos Poly, and Gaselle" under natural infection at Kafr-El Sheik, Egypt. Farida cv. was the most sensitive cultivar and was used for a greenhouse trial. This was conducted at the experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt. Soil was divided into two parts, the 1st part was treated by potassium humate (KH) addition, while the other part had no KH treatments. However, sugar beet plants within the two soil parts were treated with foliar application included ten treatments of four different induced resistant chemicals; zinc-sulphate (ZnS-1 and ZnS-2), ammonium-molybdate (AmMo-1 and AmMo-2), salicylic-acid (SA-1 and SA-2), and calciumsilicate (CaSi-1 and CaSi-2), (concentrations; 6, 12, 0.8, 1.6, 3, 6, 5, and 10 mM, respectively), and two control treatments; fungicide (0.5 m/L) and negative control. All the chemical inducers treatments had recorded a significant decrease in disease severity and incidence (DS and DI) compared to negative control. Fungicide recorded the highest decrease in DS and DI, 7.33 and 23.33, respectively. Followed by CaSi-2, AmMo-2, and SA-2 treatments, where DS estimated data were 11.33, 12, and 13.33%, respectively. No significant differences were observed in growth parameters within foliar and soil treatments. CaSi-1 and fungicide treatments showed the most significant increases in extractable sugar. CaSi, AmMo, and SA treatments could be alternatives to fungicide managing CLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different fertilizer treatments on the growth, yield, and nutrient content of two sugar beet cultivars, Aksu (Kazakhstan) and Yampol (Poland), cultivated in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. The experiment was conducted using a complete randomized block design with three replicates, comprising six treatments: control (without fertilizer), N120P120K90, and N130P130K130 for both cultivars. The soil's physical and chemical properties were analyzed, revealing a foothill light chestnut soil with favorable nutrient levels. Results indicated that the N130P130K130 treatment significantly increased soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, leading to enhanced sugar beet growth, nutrient uptake, and yield. Both cultivars responded positively to the increased nutrient levels, with the N130P130K130 treatment showing the highest yield of 785.6 tons/ha for Aksu and 802.5 tons/ha for Yampol. Furthermore, nutrient content in tubers and leaves was significantly higher in the N130P130K130 treatment compared to other treatments. These findings underscore the importance of balanced nutrient management tailored to specific cultivars for optimizing sugar beet productivity and soil fertility in diverse agro-climatic conditions. Adopting balanced mineral nutrient management approaches could offer promising solutions to enhance sugar beet productivity and sustainability. Future research should focus on exploring long-term effects and integrated nutrient management strategies for sustainable sugar beet cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thesis discusses the importance of sugar beet as a food supply for common voles and selected mice species (Apodemus spp.), which represent the most common rodent species in the stands of this crop. Sugar beet quality was determined using chemical analyses with a focus on the nitrogen content and comparison with other agricultural crops (spring and winter barley, winter wheat, alfalfa, rapeseed). The results showed a high proportion of nitrogen, especially in the leaves, and less in the tuber. The highest amount of nitrogen was found in alfalfa in the spring, while in the summer the proportion of nitrogen was lower than in alfalfa, comparable to winter rape and higher than in cereals. Based on literary sources, the article discusses the importance of beet leaves and tubers in the diet of mice and voles, as well as the importance of other food sources in sugar beet stands. In the common vole, the important food component is mainly the tubers, and less so the leaves. In the diet of mice, tubers and beet leaves were also recorded, but in a completely insignificant percentage. In sugar beet stands, mice maintain high numbers mainly by eating weed seeds and invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cercosporiosis is currently the most important disease of sugar beet leaf apparatus. The yield and sugar content losses it causes can vary greatly depending on the year and the infection rate on the plot. The average yield losses were determined in over 10 years of trials and reach about 10 %. However, in the case of an early infection, local losses can be significantly higher. When it comes to cultivation sustainability, the treatment needs to take into account the possible development of resistance to groups of active substances (strobilurins, azoles). It is advisable that the treatment combines organic fungicide products with inorganic products (Cu, S, Ag); early intervention is of utmost importance. Here, a signalling system, which monitors several parameters and assesses the risk of infection, plays a rather important role. Warm and humid weather is risky for the development of cercosporiosis infection. The daily infection coefficient values are monitored by weather stations directly in the crops, any presence of the pathogen in stands is verified by spore traps. The signalling is also complemented by direct observation and rating in production stands. The return on fungicide treatment increases with infection pressure, yield and sugar beet price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUGAR beet (Beta vulgaris) is one of the principal sources for sugar production in Egypt. Viral infections could seriously impact its cultivation and development. This study was performed to investigate genetic diversity of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates infecting sugar beet and other crops growing nearby such as pepper, cowpea, common bean and sweet potato. A total of nine CMV isolates were characterized at the molecular level, according to capsid protein gene sequence analysis (6 isolates from sugar beet and other three isolates from other crops). Four isolates showed highest identity to CMV subgroup IA. The other five isolates showed the highest levels of nucleotide identity to CMV group II. While group IA and 1B were known to occur in Egypt, to our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV group II from sugar beet and sweet potato in Egypt indicating recent introduction of new CMV genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizosphere environments play a vital role in the nutrient cycling of crops and soil organic nitrogen mineralization. Sugar beet is a highly nitrogen (N)-demanding crop, and it is necessary to explore the relationship between the sugar beet root exudates, the microbial community, and nitrogen utilization. In this study, a special separation method was employed to create rhizosphere (H3) and non-rhizosphere (H2 and H1) environments for sugar beet. After 50 d of cultivation in nearly inorganic-free soil, the microbial diversity and its correlation with root metabolites and N were examined. The results showed that in H3, the inorganic N content was over 23 times higher than in H1 and H2, with a 13.1% higher relative abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria compared to H2 and a 32% higher abundance than H1. The relative abundance of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria was also 18.8% higher than in H1. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between inorganic nitrogen content and serine (Ser) and isoleucine (Ile). The organic nitrogen content exhibited positive correlations with glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), and tyrosine (Tyr) but displayed negative correlations with certain amino acids, organic acids, and glucose. The co-linearity network indicated that the microbial composition in H3 also exhibited higher node connectivity. It can be inferred that under the influence of sugar beet root exudates, the changes in the rhizosphere's microbial diversity were more intricate, thereby benefiting soil nitrogen cycling and inorganic N accumulation. These findings provide profound insight into sugar beet soil organic nitrogen mineralization and contribute to the sustainable and environmentally friendly development of modern agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Betaine, a natural by-product of the sugar beet industry, can improve growth performance when fed to production animals, particularly under increased environmental temperatures. While the positive effects of betaine in monogastric species like pigs and poultry are well investigated, efficacy in ruminants is less clear. The increasing severity and frequency of heat events will impact livestock production, and dietary betaine offers a management tool to mitigate these events. This meta-analysis examined the effects of betaine supplementation on milk production, growth performance, and carcass traits of ruminants. The results showed a positive effect of dietary betaine supplementation in lactating dairy cattle, beef cattle, and sheep. These promising results show that dietary betaine supplementation can be utilized to improve productivity in ruminants under both ambient and hot conditions. Betaine improves growth performance and health in monogastric animals under both thermoneutral and heat stress conditions, but results in ruminants have been more equivocal. This meta-analysis investigated the effects of betaine supplementation on productive performance, milk production and composition, and carcass traits of ruminants due to betaine supplementation. A comprehensive search for published studies investigating the effect of betaine was performed using Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Effect size analysis, random effects models, I2 statistics, and meta-regression analysis were utilized to assess differences in production parameters. Dietary betaine supplementation increased milk yield (+1.0 kg/d (weighted mean differences presented in this abstract), p < 0.001), dry matter intake (+0.15 kg/d, p < 0.001), and milk lactose (+0.05%, p = 0.010) in dairy cows housed under thermoneutral conditions. In the few studies conducted on small ruminants, there was an increase in milk yield in response to dietary betaine (0.45 kg/d, p = 0.040). Under heat stress conditions or grazing pasture during summer, dietary betaine increased milk yield (+1.0 kg/d, p < 0.001) and dry matter intake (+0.21 kg/d, p = 0.020). Dietary betaine increased final liveweight (+2.33 kg, p = 0.050) and back fat thickness (+0.74 cm, p < 0.001) in beef cattle. Dietary betaine increased final liveweight (0.14 kg, p = 0.010), daily gain (+0.019 kg/d, p < 0.001), and carcass weight (+0.80 kg, p < 0.001) but not backfat in small ruminants. These meta-analyses showed that dietary betaine increases liveweight in small ruminants and beef cattle and increases feed intake and milk yield in dairy cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seedling rot in sugar beet was observed at Snyder Farms, Wyoming, USA, in April 2022. The diseased seedlings exhibited water-soaked brown to blackish lesions in hypocotyls with poor root systems. Four fungal isolates were retrieved from the diseased samples, and their morphological features were found to be identical to those of previously reported Fusarium species. Artificial inoculation with isolates developed similar symptoms to those observed in the field samples. Based on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity assays, sequence homologies of the internal transcribed spacer, translation elongation factor (tef1α), largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), β-tubulin (β-tub), and multilocus phylogenic analyses with tef1α and rpb2, the causal agent was identified as Fusarium clavum (F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex 5). This is the first worldwide report of sugar beet seedling rot caused by F. clavum, detected in Wyoming, USA. This finding will help to formulate effective management practices to manage the pathogen and prevent its widespread occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizomania is one of the most destructive and damaging sugar beet diseases that has spread in different regions of Iran. In order to evaluate the genotypic, environmental, and genotype by environmental variability of sugar beet genotypes under rhizomania infection, variance components were estimated from the trial series in 7 years. Required data, such as yield and quality parameters, were collected from value for cultivation and use trials. Results of analysis of variance showed that the environment was the source that explained most of the variability, except for amino‐N and alkalinity. Quality traits were also influenced by the environment × cultivar interaction, so that 4.8% (white sugar content) to 46.1% (alkalinity) variance was observed. In contrast, genetic variation was much lower, between 1.2% (potassium) and 27.4% (amino‐N). A strong and negative correlation was found between root yield, sugar yield, and white sugar content with the disease index, which obviously illustrates the negative impact of the rhizomania on root weight and as a consequence on the dependent traits. The cluster analysis of the cultivars based on the quantitative and qualitative traits and the disease index showed that the range of variation in traits, such as the disease index, varied from 6.25 for the susceptible cultivar to 1.25 for the resistant one. This indicates the existence of sufficient genetic diversity among cultivars in terms of this trait. High impurity accumulation was observed in Shiraz region compared with Mashhad. In conclusion, it is observed that rhizomania has a significant effect on the impurity concentration in the root, especially sodium, potassium, and amino‐N. This is very important in the sugar industry because sugar extraction depends on the concentration of these impurities, in addition to the sugar content of each cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has always been a specific focus on nitrogen fertilization in sugar beet production due to its important effect on sugar beet root yield and quality. For stable sugar beet growth and satisfactory root yield and quality, balanced N fertilization is crucial. Thus, this study aimed to investigate spring N fertilization in two seasons as the following treatments: N0—control, N1—only pre-sowing fertilization, and N2—pre-sowing with topdressing. Four different genotypes were included in the study (Serenada, Colonia, Fred, and Danton). The experiment was set up in a plain area, belonging to the temperate climate zone in Eastern Croatia (Županja and Vrbanja), with the long-term mean (LTM) (March–October) air temperature around 16 °C and the total precipitation of 515 mm. Pre-sowing N fertilization had a smaller impact on root yield in the year with higher precipitation (31% higher than LTM). Therefore, the average yields with pre-sowing fertilization (N1) and pre-sowing fertilization with top dressing (N2) were very similar and were only 7% higher than those of the control. In a season with less rainfall (29% less than LTM), pre-sowing fertilization with top dressing (N2) had a more pronounced effect on the increase in sugar beet root yield, which was 17% higher compared to that of the control treatment. The sugar beet sucrose content and quality parameters (brei impurities, loss of sugar in molasses, extractable sugar) differed when N fertilization was applied among locations in both seasons. The white sugar yield was the highest at N2 treatment with pre-sowing and topdressing N fertilization. In general, according to the average of all locations and years of research, the Serenada hybrid achieved the highest average root yield (81.1 t ha−1), while Colonia exhibited the highest root sugar content (14.5%) and white sugar yield (9.7 t ha−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major problem in the cultivation of sugar beet is continuous cropping cycle. A study was carried out in the 2019–2021 season at the Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, to assess the impacts on the growth, root yield, and sugar content of sugar beet of various continuous cropping years with bio–organic fertilizers. A split plot system with three replications was set up to carry out the field testing. The main plots had five planting years, with the non-continuous of each growing season serving as the control (CK) and continuous cropping for one, two, three, and four years (designated as C1, C2, C3, and C4, respectively). The subplots had two bio-organic fertilizer levels: 6000 kg ha−2 (Y) and 0 (N). The results demonstrated that continuous cropping stunted sugar beet growth and lowered yield and quality. The plant height, leaf area index, root volume, root yield, and sugar yield of sugar beet significantly decreased with the extension of continuous cropping years. Compared with CKN (CKY), plant height, leaf area index, root volume, and fresh weight of C1N (C1Y), C2N (C2Y), C3N (C3Y), and C4N (C4Y) all showed a significantly decreased trend. Furthermore, the plant height, leaf area index, root volume, and fresh weight reductions had amplitudes of 5.60–27.36%, 9.53–67.86%, 17.71–57.35%, and 17.54–45.03%, respectively. The distinctions between C1 and C2 were essentially not statistically significant, and the same was evident for C3 and C4. The root yield and sugar yield exhibit noteworthy relationships with each growth indices. Compared with CKN (CKY), C1N, C2N, C3N, and C4N significantly reduced their root yield and sugar yield by 19.20% and 25.08% (19.63% and 25.67%), 24.13% and 31.02% (24.74% and 32.32%), 44.03% and 55.15% (48.47% and 58.09%), and 47.89% and 61.85% (52.35% and 64.43%). Bio-organic fertilizers applied during the same planting year all had effects on the growth and yield of sugar beet; however, these effects were only significant under the planting year treatments of CK, C1, and C2. The amplitude of the increase in plant height, leaf area index, root volume, fresh weight, and root yield reached 2.76–7.95%, 10.21–24.67%, 10.66–14.88%, 7.03–14.83%, and 18.74–19.69%, respectively. Above all, sugar beet were hindered by continuous cropping, and bio-organic fertilizer can greatly increase sugar beet yield and growth for continuous cropping lasting one or two years; for continuous cropping lasting three or more years, additional measures should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the period of 2016–2018, two series of field studies on organic sugar beet growing (Beta vulgaris L.) were carried out in northern Poland on Luvisol loamy soil (medium–heavy) soil in Bałcyny and Płonne. The aim of this study was to decrease the yield gap between organic and conventional beets. Factors to increase the yield of organic beet were differentiated fertilization (cattle farmyard manure (FYM), compost, and Bioilsa) and choice of varieties (Eliska, Jampol, and Sobieski). The reference point was the conventional cultivation of the same sugar beet varieties, fertilized with manure and NPK mineral fertilizers, the prevailing standard of sugar beet cultivation in Poland. High sugar beet root yields exceeding the average yield in Poland by 25–30% were obtained in both studies, both in conventional and organic cultivation. Higher root and white sugar yields were obtained in the study conducted at Płonne (with similar soil conditions to those at Bałcyny), but they were characterized by higher temperatures during the growing season. The lowest root yields in both experiments were obtained by fertilizing the organic beet with compost (66.1 t per ha in Bałcyny and 78.13 t per ha in Płonne), which were 10.8% and 8.5% lower than the conventional crop, respectively. Higher root yields in organic cultivation were obtained by fertilizing the sugar beet with FYM, which reduced the differences from conventional beet to 7.7% in the study in Bałcyny and 2.1% in the study in Płonne. Thus, the results showed no need to convert cattle FYM to compost. The highest root yields in organic cultivation were obtained by fertilizing the sugar beet with Bioilsa N 12.5 supplemented with mineral fertilization of K, Mg, and S (Patentkali). This fertilization provided a yield of 78.1 t of roots per ha in Bałcyny, which is a reduction in the yield gap to 1.4%, a statistically insignificant value. Moreover, in the study at Płonne, organic sugar beet fertilized with Bioilsa and Patentkali yielded 86.7 t of roots per ha, compared to 85.6 t per ha of conventional beet, so a yield gap was not seen here. The choice of varieties was also of great importance for root and pure sugar yields in both farming systems. The lowest yields were obtained from the Eliska variety, and at Bałcyny, a change of beet cultivar to Jampol increased the organic root yield from 68.8 t per ha to 76.0 t per ha, while reducing the yield gap from 10.1% to 2.2%. At Płonne, replacing the Eliska variety with Jampol reduced the yield gap between organic and conventional roots from 6.6% to 0.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), a biennial sugar crop, contributes about 16% of the world’s sugar production. The transition from vegetative growth, during which sugar accumulated in beet, to reproductive growth, during which sugar exhausted in beet, is determined by vernalization and photoperiod. GIGANTEA (GI) is a key photoperiodic flowering gene that is induced by vernalization in sugar beet. To identify the upstream regulatory factors of BvGI, candidate transcription factors (TF) that were co-expressed with BvGI and could bind to the BvGI promoter were screened based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and TF binding site prediction. Subsequently, their transcriptional regulatory role on the BvGI was validated through subcellular localization, dual-luciferase assays and yeast transformation tests. A total of 7,586 differentially expressed genes were identified after vernalization and divided into 18 co-expression modules by WGCNA, of which one (MEcyan) and two (MEdarkorange2 and MEmidnightblue) modules were positively and negatively correlated with the expression of BvGI, respectively. TF binding site predictions using PlantTFDB enabled the screening of BvLHY, BvTCP4 and BvCRF4 as candidate TFs that negatively regulated the expression of BvGI by affecting its transcription. Subcellular localization showed that BvLHY, BvTCP4 and BvCRF4 were localized to the nucleus. The results of dual-luciferase assays and yeast transformation tests showed that the relative luciferase activity and expression of HIS3 was reduced in the BvLHY, BvTCP4 and BvCRF4 transformants, which suggested that the three TFs inhibited the BvGI promoter. In addition, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR showed that BvLHY and BvTCP4 exhibited rhythmic expression characteristics similar to that of BvGI, while BvCRF4 did not. Our results revealed that vernalization crosstalked with the photoperiod pathway to initiate bolting in sugar beet by inhibiting the transcriptional repressors of BvGI.Key message: BvLHY, BvTCP4 and BvCRF4, which were negative regulatory transcription factors of BvGI, were repressed by vernalization for bolting in sugar beet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beets account for 30% of global sugar production each year, and their byproducts are an important source of bioethanol and animal feed. Sugar beet is an important cash crop in Inner Mongolia, China. To achieve high yields and sugar content, it is essential to supply nitrogen fertilizer in accordance with the growth characteristics of sugar beet, thereby enhancing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer utilization. A two-year experiment was carried out in the experimental field of the Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences. The impact of varying ratios of nitrogen-based fertilizer to topdressing on nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen levels in the 20–60 cm soil layer, as well as the activities of protease, urease, catalase, and sucrose in the 20–40 cm soil layer were investigated during the rapid leaf growth period and root and sugar growth period. Results indicated that different ratios of nitrogen-based fertilizer to topdressing significantly influenced the levels of nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen, and the activities of protease and urease in the 0–20 cm soil layer, with these effects diminishing as soil depth increased. The activities of catalase and sucrose were minimally impacted. Nitrogen was applied at 150 kg/ha during the growth period of sugar beet, according to the growth characteristics of sugar beet to maximize nitrogen utilization efficiency. Topdressing was completed with irrigation at the rapid growth stage. The nitrogen-based fertilizer to topdressing ratio of 6:4 resulted in optimal crop yield and sugar yield of sugar beet under shallow drip irrigation. Additionally, the activities of protease and urease in different soil treatments were significantly different, and the activities of protease and urease in the 0–40 cm soil layer were identified as useful soil physiological indicators for nitrogen utilization in sugar beet.