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Application of Molasses as an Eco-Innovative Approach Substitutes Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization and Enhances Sugar Beet Productivity

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Abstract

Purpose

Large quantities of byproducts are produced from beet sugar industry causing deleterious environmental pollution. This study aimed to evaluate the surface and foliar application of molasses and vinasses as an eco-innovative amendment and nutritional supplements on sugar beet yield and quality.

Methods

The yield and root juice quality of two sugar beet varieties were evaluated for two growing seasons under nine fertilization and soil amendment application treatments.

Results

Application of molasses to the soil has significantly promoted root yield, with the highest root yield resulting from the application of 360 L ha−1 of molasses to the soil. Likewise, the highest values of sucrose content, quality index (QZ)%, recoverable sugar (RS) % and recoverable sugar yield were produced from the application of 360 L ha−1 of molasses. Moreover, the lowest Na%, K% and α-amino N% values in both varieties resulted from the surface application of 360 L ha−1 molasses. Compared to the control treatment, applying 360 L ha−1 of molasses improved the available N, P and K as well as the organic matter, calcium and magnesium contents in the soil.

Conclusions

Beet sugar molasses could be applied to the soil surface as a soil amendment and a substitute for the application of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. Molasses is a promising eco-friendly soil amendment that greatly enhances sugar beet productivity and biofortification by improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil.

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Data Availability

All data are included within the manuscript and its supplementary material.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Taif University Research Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/315), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia, for providing the financial support and research facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Alkhurma University College, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia

    Sami A. Al-Dhumri

  2. King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, 11442, Saudi Arabia

    Mobarak S. Al Mosallam & Saif Alharbi

  3. Engineering Research Centre of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education/Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, China

    Wenying Zhang

  4. Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt

    Salah F. Abou-Elwafa

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  1. Sami A. Al-Dhumri
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  2. Mobarak S. Al Mosallam
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  3. Wenying Zhang
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  4. Saif Alharbi
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Contributions

SFAE conceived the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. SAD, MSA, MAA and SA helped in data analysis and presentation. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Salah F. Abou-Elwafa.

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Al-Dhumri, S.A., Al Mosallam, M.S., Zhang, W. et al. Application of Molasses as an Eco-Innovative Approach Substitutes Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization and Enhances Sugar Beet Productivity. Waste Biomass Valor 14, 287–296 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-022-01873-z

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