Effect of Ascophyllum nodosum Extract (Acadian) as Natural Organic Inputs on Performance of Some Sugar Beet Varieties

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of breeding and genetics, Sugar Crops Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt.

2 ,Sugarcrops Research Institute Agriculture Research Center

10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2025.407625

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of Ascophyllum nodosum extract (Acadian) as a natural, eco-friendly biostimulant on the performance of five sugar beet varieties under reduced nitrogen fertilizer levels. Field experiments were conducted at the El-Sabahia Research Station (latitude 31° 12' N), Agricultural Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt, using a split-split plot design in a complete block arrangement during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons. Treatments included foliar application of Acadian extract (AE) at two concentrations (1 ml/L and 2 ml/L), combined with two urea levels (50% and 75% of the recommended rate), alongside 1 ml/L AE without urea, and a control receiving 100% urea. The results showed that foliar spraying with AE at 2 ml/L combined with 75% urea significantly improved physiological and technological traits, leading to an increase in root and sugar yield by 25.97% and 20.97%, respectively, compared to the control. The Dina variety achieved the highest sugar yield (4.71 tons/fed), while the Panther variety surpassed Dina in root yield (29.19 tons/fed). A significant negative correlation (r ≈ -0.88) was observed between sugar yield and impurity percentage in roots, which was notably higher in the LP17B4011 variety. The interaction between the Mammut variety and AE (2 ml/L) + 75% urea recorded the highest root yield (35.81 tons/fed) and sugar yield (5.80 tons/fed). The phylogenetic tree closely aligned with the results of principal component analysis, indicating that the Dina and Mammut varieties have superior adaptability, followed by the Kn-627 variety. We conclude that the Acadian extract can be effectively used to sustain and enhance sugar beet productivity while improving the adaptability of varieties to environmental changes.

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