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The relative importance of cluster size, sowing depth, time of seedling emergence and between-plant spacing on variation in plant size in red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) crops

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

L. R. Benjamin
L. R. Benjamin
Affiliation:
National Vegetable Research Station, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF
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Summary

Beets with a coefficient of variation (c.v.) of weight of only 36–46% were produced by reducing the variation in cluster size, sowing depth, time of seedling emergence, proximity and size of neighbours to as low a value as practicable. The relative importance of these different sources of variation in plant size was examined in two experiments sown in contrasting conditions.

Variation in time of seedling emergence was a major source of variation in plant size and was partially caused by variation in the environment around the clusters. Variation in true seed size and between-plant spacing was achieved by use of clusters of different sizes, but these factors were associated with only a negligible variation in root size. Similarly, local interactions between plants, brought about by variation in plant-to-plant spacing, accounted for only a small proportion of the variation in root weight.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 108 , Issue 1 , February 1987 , pp. 221 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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