Agronomic performance of beet cultivars as a function of phosphorus fertilization

Abstract

The lack of phosphorus in soil affects the development and productivity of plants; however, in order for them to express the full potential, it is necessary to supply this nutrient. The objective of this study was to define adequate doses of phosphorus, which maximize the productivity and quality of four beet cultivars, and to identify among them the most efficient use of phosphorus. The experiment was carried out at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, of the Federal Rural Semi-Arid University, Mossor’, RN state, Brazil, from July to October 2016. The experimental design was a randomized block in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with four repetitions, corresponding to four beet cultivars (Early Wonder, Fortuna, Kestrel and Cabernet) and four doses of phosphorus (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha−1 of P2O5). The dose that maximized commercial productivity was 186 kg ha−1 of P2O5 for the cultivars Early Wonder (21.71 t ha−1) and Kestrel (22.59 t ha−1), 180 kg ha−1 of P2O5 for Carbenet (25.82 t ha−1) and 183 kg ha−1 of P2O5 for Fortuna (25.40 t ha−1). The Cabernet and Fortuna cultivars were classified as not efficient but responsive, whereas Early Wonder and Kestrel were efficient but not responsive. Phosphorus did not influence content of soluble solids and percentage of white rings at the root.