Leaf Carbon Isotope Discrimination and its Relation with Qualitative Root Traits and Harvest Index in Sugar Beet (<i>Beta vulgaris</i> L.)

Abstract

Abstract Twenty commercial sugar beet varieties were grown at two sites in central Greece during the 2001 growing season (March to October), in a completely randomized block design with three replications. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) in sugar beet leaves was found to be affected by site and marginally by variety. No relation was found between fresh root yield and Δ, but significant correlations were found between Δ and sucrose content (positive) and between Δ and root α‐amino‐N (negative). Also, the harvest index, determined at one site, was negatively correlated with Δ.