Water use and yield of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under drip irrigation at different water regimes

• This crop is one of the highest water consuming plants due to the long growth period. Therefore, irrigation scheduling is important in sugar beet.
• Sugar beet has an economic importance as the raw material for the production of sugar.
• The most appropriate irrigation scheduling could be implemented.
• Deficit irrigation can play an important role in increasing water use efficiency.

This study examines the effects of different irrigation regimes on water use and root yield of sugar beet, irrigated with a drip system under field conditions in the 2012–2013 seasons at Cukurcayir in the Kırsehir Centrum of the Central Anatolian region of Turkey. Experiments were carried out in split plots in randomized blocks with three replications.The application of irrigation water was based on cumulative class A pan evaporation within irrigation intervals. Study treatments consisted of one irrigation interval (7 days); the two sugar beet varieties (C1: Esperanza and C2: Calixta) and three different irrigation levels (I1, I2, and I3) adjusted according to the class A pan evaporation (Epan) using three different plant-pan coefficients (Kcp1: 0.5; Kcp2: 0.75; and Kcp3: 1.00).The lowest and the highest values of irrigation water and plant water consumption (Et) were observed in the I1 and I3 treatments in both years, respectively. In 2012, the lowest and the highest root yields were observed in the I3C1 (85.38 t ha−1) and I2C2 (75.10 t ha−1) treatments. In the second experimental year, the lowest and the highest root yields were achieved with the I3C1 (66.13 t ha−1) and I1C2 (47.57 t ha−1) treatments, respectively.The impact on the examined parameters of irrigation programs in the C2 treatment had not significant. On the other hand, in the C1 treatment of irrigation programs had a significant effect on sugar rate, sugar yield, and other parameters. If the economic yield and quality are desired, the I1C1 treatment can be suggested for sugar beet production under the similar soil and climatic conditions.