Identification of drought resistance of agronomic and photosynthetic characteristics of seven sugarbeet varieties

Objective A comparative experiment on drought resistance of seven sugarbeet varieties at home and abroad was carried out to provide a scientific and reasonable field identification scheme and preliminary construction of drought resistance evaluation system for the planting and introduction of new sugarbeet varieties in drip irrigation farming area of Xinjiang.

Methods The experiment adopted randomized block design and set two treatments: normal water (irrigation quota was 600 m³/hm²) and drought stress (irrigation quota was 450 m³/hm²). The changes of new and old leaf replacement, aboveground/underground biomass accumulation and photosynthetic characteristics of seven sugarbeet varieties at home and abroad under drought stress were studied, and the annual yield indexes of each variety under drought stress were analyzed. The evaluation methods of drought resistance of different sugarbeet varieties in the field were summarized.

Results BTS468 and KWS1197 have strong drought resistance and are less affected by drought, so they can maintain a high level of yield and quality under stress. ST13092, MA10-4, KUHN1387 and XJT9919 are greatly affected by drought, and the annual growth and development indexes fluctuate obviously, but the characters of high and stable yield were poor. VF3019 has good drought resistance, but the yield and quality are not prominent enough, so it can be considered to popularize planting in arid areas.

Conclusion The identification and evaluation methods under the study can effectively test the field adaptability and drought resistance of several sugarbeet varieties, and repeated comparison between years can be carried out.