Agronomic performance of beetroot as a function of silicon application

Abstract

Beetroot, when cultivated in hot regions such as the Brazilian semi-arid, is subjected to various stressful environmental factors that can negatively impact its productivity and quality. Silicon is an element known for its ability to mitigate damage caused by both abiotic and biotic stressors and is recognized as a productivity and quality enhancer in agricultural crops. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of silicon application on the agronomic performance of the beet crop. The experimental design used was a randomized block design in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement with four replications, comprising five silicon doses (0.0; 0.9; 1.8; 2.7, and 3.6 kg ha^-1) and two table beet cultivars (Fortuna and Maravilha). The assessed variables included plant height, number of leaves per plant, polar and equatorial diameter of the tuberous root, tuberous root, shoot and total dry matter mass, commercial, non-commercial, and total productivity, as well as quality assessment of the root with determinations of pH, vitamin C, titratable acidity, and total soluble sugars. A silicon dose of 2.56 kg ha^-1 promoted optimal root development in the Fortuna cultivar; however, silicon application at all tested doses reduced the levels of soluble sugars, while a dose of 3.6 kg ha^-1 increased total titratable acidity. In contrast, silicon did not influence root development in the Maravilha cultivar, but an application of 3.13 kg ha^-1 increased the total soluble sugar content by 86.13%.