Interval of irrigation suppression in beet cultivation under salt stress

ABSTRACT Salt and water stresses affect the agronomic performance of the beet crop (Beta vulgaris L.). The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the effect of suppressing irrigation on the yield and quality of the tuberous root of beet under salt stress. The experiment was conducted from February to May 2023 in a greenhouse at the University of the International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (UNILAB), Redenção, Ceará, Brazil. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 5 repetitions, corresponding to five intervals of irrigation suppression: SI1= no water suppression interval (control), SI2 = suppression interval from 20 to 35 days after sowing (DAS), SI3 = suppression interval from 35 to 50 DAS, SI4 = suppression interval from 50 to 65 DAS and SI5 = suppression interval from 65 to 80 DAS, and the two levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water: 0.8 and 6.2 dS m-1. The use of water with high salinity reduced the mass and length of the tuberous root, as well as its yield; however, it promoted an increase in the soluble solids content of beet. Salt stress negatively affected root diameter and pH in the water suppression intervals from 20 to 35 DAS and from 50 to 65 DAS. The treatment with water suppression interval from 35 to 50 DAS resulted lower performance in tuberous root mass and yield.