Productivity of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris var.Crassa) cultivars affected by nitrogen and plant spacing

A field experiment was conducted in the (2007/08 -2008/09) seasons to study the effects of nitrogen fertilization and plant spacing on yields and its components of three fodder beet cultivars.The experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split-split plots arrangement.Nitrogen treatments at a rate of 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N/ha were assigned to the main plots applied eleven days from planting.Plant spacing (15, 20 and 25 cm between holes) and fodder beet cultivars (Voroshenger, Anisa and Polyproductiva) were allotted to the sub and sub-sub-plots, respectively.Nitrogen application increased root fresh weight; dry weights of shoot, root; green and dry fodder yields significantly (p<0.05) in the first season.Nitrogen had no significant effects on shoot fresh weight.Wider spacing significantly (p<0.05)increased root dry weight in the first season.Green and dry fodder yields were significantly (p<0.05)increased under closer spacing in the second season.Spacing had no significant effects on root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight.Cultivars exhibited highly significant (p<0.01)differences in shoot dry weight in both seasons.Cultivars affected shoot fresh weight significantly (p<o.o5) in the first season and highly significantly (p<0.01) in the second one.Fresh and dry weight of root, green and dry fodder yields were not significantly affected by cultivars.Shoot dry weight was significantly greater under higher nitrogen levels and wider spacing (N 2 S 2 and N 3 S 3 ) in the second season.Nitrogen and cultivars interaction resulted in significant (p<0.05)increase in root dry weight attained by Voroshenger and Polyproductiva cultivars under 80 kg/N/ha (N 2 V 1 and N 2 V 3 ) in the first and second season, respectively.Polyproductiva sown at 25cm apart (S 3 V 3 ) significantly (p<0.05)attained the greatest root dry weight in the second season.