PHYSIOLOGXCAL STUDIES ON FODDER BEET PLANT

Abstract

Fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) sub: sp. vulgaris is an important winter forage crop. It has been first cultivated in far east and introduced into most eastern and northern countries around the world. It is grown as a biennial. The importance of fodder beet as a forage crop lies in different aspects. Firstly, the completion of the vegetative growth of the plant comes up during summer and that coincides with the occurrence of the serious shortage in animal feed stuffs. Secondly, the crop is considered as a good source of energy for animal feeding. Thirdly, the crop could be cultivated in different types of soils,i.e., alluvial, calcareous, sandy and salty soils (Rammah et al., 1984). Such crop is not common in Egyptian agriculture, however, several attempts has been done to study the possibility of productivity increment of fodder beet as forage crop under the local environmental conditions by using different agricultural practices.

Very little is known about the need of fodder beet to different major macronutrients especially under Egyptian environmental conditions.

Nitrogen is the most important agronomic variable known to affect plant growth and yield. In most fodder beet growing regions of the world, nitrogen is the most important fertilizer element for plant growth. So, the proper management of nitrogen fertilizer is a major factor in maximizing growth and yield of fodder beet.

Phosphorus is one of the essential nutrients present in the plant as inorganic and organic forms. The importance of phosphorus is necessary for several metabolic processes and building up several metabolites such as: Phytin,