Green waste-derived compost (GWC) alleviates drought stress and promotes sugar beet productivity and biofortification

Green waste-derived compost (GWC) is a valuable soil amendment for improving soil organic matter and decreasing waste products and potential pollutants. The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of GWC application on the yield and quality of sugar beet under deficit irrigation conditions using different irrigation systems. A field experiment was conducted using the commercial sugar beet variety Gazelle in sandy soil. Two doses (0 and 14 t ha−1) of GWC were applied to the soil. Three water deficiency levels (60, 80 and 100% of the soil field capacity) under either drip and sprinkler irrigation systems were applied. The application of 14 ton ha−1 of GWC resulted in the highest root and recoverable sugar yields, especially under the well-irrigated conditions under drip irrigation. Sugar beet root biofortification and juice quality were also significantly improved under drip irrigation in response to the application of 14 ton ha−1 of GWC by increasing sucrose content, quality index (Qz)% and recoverable sugar (RS)%. The application of GWC under drip irrigation enhanced water use efficiency for root (WUERY) and recoverable sugar yields (WUERSY), in particular under drip irrigation and water deficit conditions (60% of the soil field capacity). The soil physicochemical properties were significantly improved in response to the application of GWC. GWC application promoted the yield and biofortification of sugar beet by improving the soil physiochemical properties, and nutrient mobilization and uptake. The application of GWC is essential for sustainable sugar beet production and efficient irrigation water use in sandy soils.

绿源堆肥（Green waste-derived compost，GWC）是一种极具价值的土壤改良剂，可有效提升土壤有机质含量，同时减少废弃物及潜在污染物。本研究旨在评估不同灌溉系统下，亏缺灌溉条件中施加GWC对糖用甜菜产量与品质的影响。试验在砂质土壤中开展，供试糖用甜菜品种为商用品种Gazelle，设置2个GWC施加剂量：0 t·ha⁻¹与14 t·ha⁻¹；同时设置3个水分亏缺水平（分别为土壤田间持水量的60%、80%、100%），并分别采用滴灌与喷灌两种灌溉系统进行处理。施加14 t·ha⁻¹的GWC可获得最高的块根产量与可回收糖产量，在滴灌充分灌溉条件下这一效果尤为显著。施加14 t·ha⁻¹的GWC后，滴灌条件下糖用甜菜的块根生物强化效果与汁液品质均得到显著提升，具体表现为蔗糖含量、品质指数（Qz）%及可回收糖（RS）%均有所提高。在滴灌模式下施加GWC可提升块根水分利用效率（WUERY）与可回收糖产量水分利用效率（WUERSY），在滴灌且水分亏缺（土壤田间持水量的60%）条件下这一提升效果尤为突出。施加GWC可显著改善土壤理化性质。GWC通过改善土壤理化性质、活化并促进养分吸收，提升了糖用甜菜的产量与生物强化效果。在砂质土壤中，施加GWC对糖用甜菜的可持续生产与灌溉用水高效利用均具有重要意义。