the effect of within-furrow soil compaction and sowing pattern on water use efficiency of sugar beet

this study was conducted in split plot design based on a randomized complete block design in naghadeh region, urmia, iran in 2009-10. two sowing patterns including a1) single row planting with 50 cm between-row spacing, and a2) two rows planting on the hill with 40 cm distance and 50 cm between-row spacing (40×50) were allocated to main plots and four furrow compactions including b1) control, b2) furrow compaction with one time rolling, b3) two times rolling and b4) three times rolling were allocated to subplots. furrow compaction had no significant effect on root yield and sugar yield. sowing pattern had significant effect (p < 0.01) on root yield and sugar yield. two rows planting resulted in higher root yield (15.6%) and sugar yield (20.7%), and lower water consumption (24.2%) than single row planting. rolling and furrow compaction resulted in water saving so that in control treatment (no rolling), 14080 m3 ha-1 water was consumed whereas one, two, and three times rolling resulted in 10.6, 14.9, and 18.8% water saving, respectively. two rows planting (40×50) together with two times rolling was found to be the superior treatment for sugar beet in naghadeh region which will result in 34.7% decrease in water consumption in furrow irrigation method.