Impact of sowing depth and seedbed rolling on sugar beet.

The trial was conducted on a silty loam LVg-p-w-cc(sc)-Calc(ar)i-Epihypogleyic Luvisol at the Experimental Station of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture in 2004, 2005, 2007. The aim of investigations was to determine the influence of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) sowing depth and seedbed rolling methods on sugar beet seed field germination, root yield and quality. Two factors were investigated: sowing depth ranging from shallow to deep (factor A) and seedbed rolling methods (factor B). Cambridge and spur rollers were used pre- and post-sowing. Our experimental evidence suggests that an increase in soil tillage depth reduced sugar beet seed field germination, crop density, root yield and quality. Sugar beet seedbed pressure by a Cambridge roller after sowing resulted in a better sugar beet seed germination. However, the influence of seedbed rolling on root yield and quality was not completely clear. Seed germination and crop density were found to exert the greatest effect on sugar beet root yield and quality.