Yield and root quality of researched sugar beet hybrids of Županja area

The paper presents the results of three-year research on root yield and technological quality of ten sugar beet hybrids in the area of Županja. The obtained results showed that root and sugar yield as well as sugar content and extractable sugar are significantly influenced by year, ie weather conditions during the growing season. In the dry 2017 year, a significantly lower yield of roots and sugar was achieved. In 2017, less precipitation fell during the vegetation than the long-term average, with a lack of precipitation in May, June, July and August compared to the needs of sugar beet. High average monthly air temperatures were recorded in July and August. The highest sugar content (17.56 %) and extractable sugar content of the beet (15.29 %), but also the high sugar in molasses (1.67 %) were achieved in the dry 2017 year. The highest yield of roots (67.57 t/ha) and sugar (9.67 t/ha) and extractable sugar of sugar content (88.86 %) were achieved in 2019, which was characterized by higher precipitation in the first part of vegetation (April - July), and lower in the second part of vegetation. No statistically significant differences in root yield and technological quality were found among the studied hybrids, except in the potassium content. Significantly the lowest potassium content (2.83 mmol/100 g beet) was found in the Melindia KWS hybrid.