Path analysis for growth, yield, and quality traits of sugar beet varieties treated by zinc nanoparticles to alleviate soil salinity stress

In order to reduce the effects of salinity and increase land productivity, multiple strategies should be used in salt-affected soils. In two consecutive seasons, the study was conducted in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons at a private farm in Sinnuris, located at latitude 29°17 N and longitude 30°53' E, Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a split-plot arrangement in three replications. The results demonstrated that spraying sugar beet varieties with 150 mg/l of nano-zinc during both seasons significantly increased the percentages of total phenol, total chlorophyll, and relative growth rate, as well as root diameter, root length, and root fresh weight/plant. Also, sucrose, extractable sugar, root, and sugar yield/fed. Nano-zinc levels had no discernible marked impact on sodium content in both seasons. In order to increase root and sugar yields under saline soil conditions, planting a multi-germ variety, Estora-KWS, and spraying it with 150 mg/l of nano-zinc can be recommended. Estora-KWS and Marwa-KWS multi-germ varieties outperformed all other tested varieties in both seasons, and recorded the highest mean values of root and sugar yields/fed. There was a strong and positive correlation between root yield/fed and both root diameter and weight. Path coefficient analysis, which compares relationship-based traits, was shown to be reliable and understandable in determining which traits are most helpful in selecting a tolerant sugar beet variety to grow in saline soils.