The Effect of Calcium and Silicon Foliar Fertilization in Sugar Beet

In this study we investigated the effect of calcium and silicon foliar fertilization on the sugar beet root yield and quality parameters. Study was conducted in 2010–2012 in the southeastern region of Poland, in Sahryń (50°41′N and 23°46′E). In the experiment two treatments of foliar fertilization were used: (1) in the stage of 4–6 sugar beet leaf–262.0 g Ca/ha, 79.9 g Si/ha, and 3 weeks later–524.0 g Ca/ha, 159.8 g Si/ha; and (2) in the stage of 4–6 sugar beet leaf–524.0 g Ca/ha, 1598 g Si/ha, 3 weeks later–524.0 g Ca/ha, 159.8 g Si/ha. Calcium and silicon foliar fertilization resulted in increase of: (1) the root yield (average for both treatments about 21.8 %); (2) the biological sugar yield (about 24.4 %); and (3) the technological yield of sugar (about 24.8 %) compared with the control treatment. The difference between treatments of fertilization was not significant. Foliar application of calcium and silicon had no significant effect on such sugar beet roots quality parameters features as content of sucrose, alpha-amino-nitrogen, potassium and sodium.