THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STORAGE DURATION PERIODS AFTER HARVESTING IN A SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT ON THE QUALITY COMPONENTS IN SUGAR BEET

The storage of the harvested sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) before the processing stage is crucial, particularly regarding quality and durability. To maintain the quality of the beet prior to processing, appropriate storage conditions must be provided. Although siloing is a standard method for beet storage, this process may have some negative effects. Given the limited information on the impact of siloing on yield and quality, it is essential to determine the optimal duration of siloing. This study investigated the effect of different siloing periods on the root and weight and quality criteria of sugar beet in 2020 and 2021. Four siloing periods (immediately after harvest, ten days after harvest, 20 days after harvest, and 30 days after harvest) were analyzed. The siloing periods significantly affected both the root weight and quality criteria in both years of research. It was determined that the examined characteristics were significantly influenced by the treatments, with weight loss, dry matter content, sugar content, and sugar yield of roots increasing with the length of the siloing period. The results highlight the importance of the waiting time during the siloing period for sugar beet stored in silos after harvest. To minimize losses in the examined characteristics, it is recommended that the processing occur immediately after harvest. If it must be delayed processing is recommended between 10-20 days post-harvest.