Yield, quality and physiological traits of red beet under different magnesium nutrition and light intensity levels

Abstract

The effects of light intensity and Magnesium (Mg) supply on quality traits, yield and macronutrient assimilation of red beet plants were studied in two greenhouse experiments (in 2017 and 2018). According to a split-plot design, we compared two photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels (100% PAR, Full Light, FL and 50% PAR, Light Reduction, LR) as the main factor and three Mg application rates (0, 30, and 60 kg Mg ha−1: MG_0, MG_30 and MG_60, respectively) as the secondary factor. Yield and dry matter accumulations were principally affected by Mg. In both growing seasons, storage root dry weight (DW) increased about 5-fold in MG_60 with respect to MG_0; the highest leaves DW was achieved with the “LR × MG_60” treatment. Nitrogen and Mg contents in leaves and storage roots increased as Mg availability increased; also, the highest chlorophyll content was obtained combining LR and a high Mg rate. Moreover, the reflectance-derivative Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI670) and Chlorophyll Index (CI) allowed for discriminating the Mg sub-optimal supply in red beet plants. Sucrose was found to be the most abundant sugar in both the leaves and storage organs and was affected by Mg supply. Total phenolic content and betalains in storage roots at harvest were affected by both PAR and Mg application rates. Our results highlight the potential of Mg nutrition in ensuring good yield and quality of red beet crops.