ISSN (Online) : 2277-4572
Author(s): Khogali M E1*, Ibrahim Y M2, El Hag M G3
This study was conducted at the Farm of the College of Agricultural Studies (Shambat), Sudan University of Science and Technology, during 2007/08 – 2008/09 winter seasons to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilization and plant spacing on growth of three fodder beet cultivars (Voroshenger, Anisa and Polyproductiva) using a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) arranged in split -split plots. Nitrogen treatments at a rate of 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N/ha were applied eleven days from planting. The plant spacing were 15, 20 and 25 cm between holes. Nitrogen application significantly (p<0.05) increased root diameter, shoot length in both seasons and plant height in the second season; and plant height highly significantly (p<0.01) in the first season. Nitrogen had no significant effects on number of leaves and root length. Wider spacing significantly (p<0.05) increased number of leaves, root diameter in the first season. Spacing had no significant effects on root length, shoot length and plant height. Cultivars exhibited highly significant (p<0.01) differences in number of leaves, root diameter, root length and plant height in both seasons. Cultivars exerted a significant (p<0.05) effect on shoot length in the first season. Application of 80 kg N/ha and sowing at 25cm apart (N2S3) increased root length highly significantly (p<0.01) and plant height significantly (p<0.05) in the first season. Nitrogen and cultivars interaction resulted in significant(p<0.05) increase in leaves number attained by Voroshenger and Polyproductiva cultivars under 80 kg/N/ha (N2V1 and N2V3) in the first and second season, respectively
