The effect of different harvest time and field silo durations on yield and quality characteristics of some sugar beet varieties

This research was carried out at Sugar Institute Ilgın Plant Breeding Station (Konya) in 2020-2021 to determine the effects of different harvest and in-field storage times on yield and quality of some sugar beet varieties. Orthega (E type), Serenada (N type) and Kuno (Z type) varieties were used and harvested in 3 different times (165, 180 and 195 days of vegetation). The varieties were stored under field conditions for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after harvest. The root yield, sugar content, sodium, potassium and alpha-amino nitrogen content, rafined sugar content, rafined sugar yield, dry matter content, juice purity, weight loss and daily weight loss were investigated. The highest root yield (Orthega: 10363 kg/da, Serenada: 8748 kg/da, Kuno: 8276 kg/da) for the varieties was determined in the non-storaged control plants harvested at 195 days vegetation period. It was observed that Orthega gave the highest root yield at all harvest times in both years and the lowest weight loss occured in 5 days of storage. The highest rafined sugar yield was also determined as 1480 kg/da in the non-storaged control plants with 195 day vegetation period in Orthega. Root and rafined sugar yield increased by delaying the harvest time for 30 days for all genotypes. As the storage time extended, the weight loss increased and the rafined sugar yield decreased for all varieties. At the end of 20 days of storage, the lowest weight loss determined in Orthega with 17,6% and the highest in Kuno with 21,6% according to the average of harvest time. It was concluded that Orthega is more resistant to storage compared to other varieties. It can be said that sugar beet needs to complete 195 days vegetation period and not be stored for more than 5 days to complete their physiological development and to give a reasonable root/sugar yield.