Sugar beet yield and quality as affected by concentration of boron and methanol application.

The aim of this research is to assess the effect of foliar spraying with boron and methanol levels and time of methanol application. Two field experiments were conducted at EL-Haamoul district Kafer EL-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons. Strip-plot design was used in both seasons. Main plot (vertical) allocated with Boron levels (0, 1 and 1.5 Kg/fed.) sub plot (horizontal plots) takes Methanol rates (15%, 30% and 45% v/v) this solution were sprayed overhead 3 times in two weeks intervals starting after 55 and repeated at 70 and 80 days from sowing with(zero, one, two and three times) were distributed in sub-sub plots. Obtained results indicated that addition boron on foliage as foliar spraying at rate of 1.5 Kg/fed. Significantly increased affected on the values of most characters under study i.e. root dimension, yields of root, top and sugar per fed. In additions to impurities (Na, K and α-N) and quality traits as sucrose and sugar losses percentages. On the other hand purity and extractability percentage gave the highest values with control treatments. This was true in both seasons. Application of methanol solution at level 45% take the mentioned trend of boron and gave the highest values 45% compared with level 15% which recorded the lowest values with purity and extractability percentages. Times of foliar applications of methanol on sugar beet leaves at three times recorded the highest values for most traits as boron and methanol levels except impurities content ( Na, K, α-N). alkalinity, purity, extractability% which recorded in significant effect on values of these traits in both seasons. Whereas, sugar losses% showed significant increase in the second season only, sugar extractable% and sugar yield (ton/fed.). Significant interaction effects were found between factors under study on some traits in both seasons.