Fodder beet (
Aims Combined deficit-irrigation and amendment strategies represent an emerging avenue for stabilizing legume production on calcareous soils. We evaluated whether sugar beet residue, molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (n-MoO₃), and exogenous L-proline can simultaneously sustain yield, reinforce stress physiology, and improve profitability under reduced irrigation in a soybean–faba bean rotation on newly reclaimed Egyptian land. Methods Two irrigation regimes (75% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) were combined with seven treatments: nontreated control, sugar beet residue at 12 and 24 t ha⁻¹ (SB₁₂, SB₂₄), foliar n-MoO₃ at 200 and 400 mg L⁻¹ (N-Mo₂₀₀, N-Mo₄₀₀), and foliar L-proline at 200 and 400 mg L⁻¹ (P₂₀₀, P₄₀₀). Nutrient status, osmolyte and antioxidant accumulation, yield, water productivity, and economic return were assessed. Results SB₂₄ delivered the highest leaf and seed N, P, and K in both crops, while N-Mo₄₀₀ maximized leaf and seed Mo, raising soybean leaf Mo by ~ 89% above the deficit control. Leaf proline peaked under P₄₀₀ at 75% ETc; ascorbic acid declined under more effective treatments, indicating stress relief. The yield ranking SB₂₄ > SB₁₂ > N-Mo₄₀₀ > P₄₀₀ > N-Mo₂₀₀ > P₂₀₀ > Control was consistent across both crops. SB₂₄ at 100% ETc produced the highest seed yield and soybean oil content (21.45%), whereas SB₂₄ at 75% ETc achieved the highest water productivity (0.56 and 0.32 kg m⁻³). Conclusions SB₂₄ at 100% ETc was the most profitable option (BCR = 3.53 in faba bean; 2.32 in soybean), while SB₂₄ at 75% ETc is recommended as the most water-efficient strategy for newly reclaimed calcareous soils.
", "pubTypeList": { "pubType": [ "Preprint" ] }, "bookOrReportDetails": { "publisher": "Research Square", "yearOfPublication": 2026 }, "fullTextUrlList": { "fullTextUrl": [ { "availability": "Free", "availabilityCode": "F", "documentStyle": "doi", "site": "DOI", "url": "https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9743776/v1" } ] }, "isOpenAccess": "N", "inEPMC": "N", "inPMC": "N", "hasPDF": "N", "hasBook": "N", "hasSuppl": "N", "citedByCount": 0, "hasData": "N", "hasReferences": "N", "hasTextMinedTerms": "Y", "hasDbCrossReferences": "N", "hasLabsLinks": "N", "versionList": { "version": [ { "id": "PPR1241651", "source": "PPR", "firstPublishDate": "2026-05-29", "versionNumber": 1, "pubTypeList": { "pubType": [ "preprint" ] }, "hasEvaluations": "N" } ] }, "versionNumber": 1, "hasEvaluations": "N", "authMan": "N", "epmcAuthMan": "N", "nihAuthMan": "N", "hasTMAccessionNumbers": "N", "dateOfCreation": "2026-06-03", "firstIndexDate": "2026-06-03", "firstPublicationDate": "2026-05-29" }, { "id": "42486927", "source": "MED", "pmid": "42486927", "doi": "10.1038/s41598-026-62915-3", "title": "Nitrogen fertilization and biostimulants in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) production: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and nutrient management framework.", "authorString": "El-Razek UAA.", "authorList": { "author": [ { "fullName": "El-Razek UAA", "firstName": "Usama A Abd", "lastName": "El-Razek", "initials": "UAA", "authorId": { "type": "ORCID", "value": "0000-0001-6515-2695" }, "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt. usama.eldesouky@agr.tanta.edu.eg." } ] } } ] }, "authorIdList": { "authorId": [ { "type": "ORCID", "value": "0000-0001-6515-2695" } ] }, "journalInfo": { "issue": "1", "volume": "16", "journalIssueId": 4223254, "dateOfPublication": "2026 Jul", "monthOfPublication": 7, "yearOfPublication": 2026, "printPublicationDate": "2026-07-01", "journal": { "title": "Scientific reports", "medlineAbbreviation": "Sci Rep", "isoabbreviation": "Sci Rep", "nlmid": "101563288", "essn": "2045-2322", "issn": "2045-2322" } }, "pubYear": "2026", "pageInfo": "22972", "abstractText": "Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a globally significant industrial crop, yet the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization and biostimulant application on yield and juice quality remain inadequately synthesized. Excessive N application suppresses sucrose content, elevates molassogenic impurities, and generates environmental externalities; however, no prior synthesis has coupled a systematic review with field-derived path analysis to jointly characterize the N × biostimulant system. The present study quantified the effects of N rate and biostimulant type on root yield, sucrose content, juice purity, and impurity concentrations through a PRISMA-compliant systematic review (68 eligible studies from 1,250 records; 50 with extractable data), random-effects meta-analysis, GRADE certainty grading, and a two-season split-plot field experiment (n = 72; Sakha, Egypt) analyzed by structural equation modelling (SEM). N rate positively predicted root yield (GRADE: MODERATE) but negatively affected sucrose content above 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (GRADE: LOW). All biostimulant outcomes were rated GRADE VERY LOW certainty due to high heterogeneity and publication bias. Path analysis confirmed potassium as the principal quality-limiting impurity and its co-accumulation with α-amino nitrogen (α-AN) under excess N. An optimal range of 90-120 kg N ha⁻¹ is supported by MODERATE-certainty evidence for Nile Delta clay-loam conditions. Biostimulant recommendations remain provisional pending pre-registered multi-location trials.", "affiliation": "Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt. usama.eldesouky@agr.tanta.edu.eg.", "publicationStatus": "epublish", "language": "eng", "pubModel": "Electronic", "pubTypeList": { "pubType": [ "Meta-Analysis", "Systematic Review", "Journal Article" ] }, "meshHeadingList": { "meshHeading": [ { "majorTopic_YN": "Y", "descriptorName": "Beta vulgaris", "meshQualifierList": { "meshQualifier": [ { "abbreviation": "DE", "qualifierName": "drug effects", "majorTopic_YN": "N" }, { "abbreviation": "GD", "qualifierName": "growth & development", "majorTopic_YN": "N" }, { "abbreviation": "ME", "qualifierName": "metabolism", "majorTopic_YN": "N" } ] } }, { "majorTopic_YN": "N", "descriptorName": "Plant Roots", "meshQualifierList": { "meshQualifier": [ { "abbreviation": "GD", "qualifierName": "growth & development", "majorTopic_YN": "N" }, { "abbreviation": "ME", "qualifierName": "metabolism", "majorTopic_YN": "N" } ] } }, { "majorTopic_YN": "Y", "descriptorName": "Nitrogen", "meshQualifierList": { "meshQualifier": [ { "abbreviation": "ME", "qualifierName": "metabolism", "majorTopic_YN": "N" } ] } }, { "majorTopic_YN": "N", "descriptorName": "Sucrose", "meshQualifierList": { "meshQualifier": [ { "abbreviation": "ME", "qualifierName": "metabolism", "majorTopic_YN": "N" } ] } }, { "majorTopic_YN": "Y", "descriptorName": "Fertilizers" } ] }, "keywordList": { "keyword": [ "Beta vulgaris", "Cyanobacteria", "Meta-analysis", "Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria", "Systematic review", "nitrogen fertilization", "Structural Equation Modelling", "Sugar Yield", "Nile Delta", "Silicon Fertilization", "Biostimulants", "Grade Certainty" ] }, "chemicalList": { "chemical": [ { "name": "Sucrose", "registryNumber": "57-50-1" }, { "name": "Fertilizers", "registryNumber": "0" }, { "name": "Nitrogen", "registryNumber": "N762921K75" } ] }, "subsetList": { "subset": [ { "code": "IM", "name": "Index Medicus" } ] }, "fullTextUrlList": { "fullTextUrl": [ { "availability": "Subscription required", "availabilityCode": "S", "documentStyle": "doi", "site": "DOI", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62915-3" } ] }, "isOpenAccess": "N", "inEPMC": "N", "inPMC": "N", "hasPDF": "N", "hasBook": "N", "hasSuppl": "N", "citedByCount": 0, "hasData": "N", "hasReferences": "Y", "hasTextMinedTerms": "Y", "hasDbCrossReferences": "N", "hasLabsLinks": "N", "hasEvaluations": "N", "authMan": "N", "epmcAuthMan": "N", "nihAuthMan": "N", "hasTMAccessionNumbers": "N", "dateOfCompletion": "2026-07-22", "dateOfCreation": "2026-07-22", "firstIndexDate": "2026-07-23", "dateOfRevision": "2026-07-29", "electronicPublicationDate": "2026-07-22", "firstPublicationDate": "2026-07-22" }, { "id": "42448780", "source": "MED", "pmid": "42448780", "doi": "10.1038/s41598-026-62187-x", "title": "Genetic gains in yield and quality traits of Iranian sugar beet cultivars over four decades.", "authorString": "Berimavandi A, Daliri MS, Hemayati SS, Mousavi AA, Moballeghi M.", "authorList": { "author": [ { "fullName": "Berimavandi A", "firstName": "Ahmadreza", "lastName": "Berimavandi", "initials": "A", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Department of Agriculture, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran." } ] } }, { "fullName": "Daliri MS", "firstName": "Morteza Sam", "lastName": "Daliri", "initials": "MS", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Department of Agriculture, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran." } ] } }, { "fullName": "Hemayati SS", "firstName": "Saeed Sadeghzadeh", "lastName": "Hemayati", "initials": "SS", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Sugar Beet Seed Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran. s.sadeghzadeh@areeo.ac.ir." } ] } }, { "fullName": "Mousavi AA", "firstName": "Amir Abbas", "lastName": "Mousavi", "initials": "AA", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Department of Agriculture, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran." } ] } }, { "fullName": "Moballeghi M", "firstName": "Morteza", "lastName": "Moballeghi", "initials": "M", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Department of Agriculture, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran." } ] } } ] }, "journalInfo": { "journalIssueId": 4219416, "dateOfPublication": "2026 Jul", "monthOfPublication": 7, "yearOfPublication": 2026, "printPublicationDate": "2026-07-01", "journal": { "title": "Scientific reports", "medlineAbbreviation": "Sci Rep", "isoabbreviation": "Sci Rep", "nlmid": "101563288", "essn": "2045-2322", "issn": "2045-2322" } }, "pubYear": "2026", "abstractText": "Sugar beet breeding has been a vital area of research in Iran for over eight decades, with the aim of improving the yield, and quality of this important crop. In this study, an analysis of the progress made in sugar beet breeding over the past 40 years has been presented. This study utilized 15 cultivars of sugar beet. Phenotypic evaluations of these experimental cultivars were carried out across two successive crop years (2022 and 2023). The experimental design adhered to a randomized complete blocks setup with four replications. In the assessment of sugar beet cultivars introduced between 1983 and 2023, the newer cultivars exhibited notably higher white sugar weight (WSW), marking a significant upward trend over the years. Analysis of root weight (RW) and white sugar content (WSC) trends indicated substantial enhancements in these key components impacting WSW. Peak values were evident in the most recent cultivars, contrasting with lower values recorded in earlier decades. Exploring the components of WSC further, sugar content (SC) showed a significant upward trajectory, while molasses sugar percentage (MS) showcased a distinct decrease. Noteworthy declines in sodium (Na⁺) were observed, in contrast to a non-significant rise in potassium (K+) and a highly significant increase in alpha-amino nitrogen (N). Pearson's correlation analysis identified positive correlations between WSW and factors like SC, RW, and N. A negative correlation was observed between WSW and Na+, emphasizing the importance of minimizing Na+ levels for optimal sugar production. A regression analysis identified SC and RW as the key contributors to WSW variations. Path analysis confirmed the positive direct effects of RW and SC on WSW. Additionally, an indirect positive effect of SC on WSW through RW was identified. Overall, this study highlights significant breeding progress in sugar beets, with substantial improvements in WSW, RW, and WSC. Therefore, breeding programs should focus on enhancing both RW and SC to achieve optimal sugar yield.", "affiliation": "Department of Agriculture, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran.", "publicationStatus": "aheadofprint", "language": "eng", "pubModel": "Print-Electronic", "pubTypeList": { "pubType": [ "Journal Article" ] }, "keywordList": { "keyword": [ "Yield", "Resistance", "Component", "Path analysis", "Genetic" ] }, "subsetList": { "subset": [ { "code": "IM", "name": "Index Medicus" } ] }, "fullTextUrlList": { "fullTextUrl": [ { "availability": "Subscription required", "availabilityCode": "S", "documentStyle": "doi", "site": "DOI", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62187-x" } ] }, "commentCorrectionList": { "commentCorrection": [ { "id": "PPR1112421", "source": "PPR", "type": "Preprint in", "note": "CrossRef Pre-print loader", "orderIn": 10002 } ] }, "isOpenAccess": "N", "inEPMC": "N", "inPMC": "N", "hasPDF": "N", "hasBook": "N", "hasSuppl": "N", "citedByCount": 0, "hasData": "N", "hasReferences": "N", "hasTextMinedTerms": "Y", "hasDbCrossReferences": "N", "hasLabsLinks": "N", "hasEvaluations": "N", "authMan": "N", "epmcAuthMan": "N", "nihAuthMan": "N", "hasTMAccessionNumbers": "N", "dateOfCreation": "2026-07-14", "firstIndexDate": "2026-07-15", "dateOfRevision": "2026-07-14", "electronicPublicationDate": "2026-07-14", "firstPublicationDate": "2026-07-14" }, { "id": "42255299", "source": "MED", "pmid": "42255299", "pmcid": "PMC13236655", "fullTextIdList": { "fullTextId": [ "PMC13236655" ] }, "doi": "10.3389/fpls.2026.1827328", "title": "Synergistic effects of nitrogen, sewage sludge, and poultry manure on integrative fertilization for wheat and sugar beet in marginally saline soil.", "authorString": "Veres S, Alshaal T, Elhawat N.", "authorList": { "author": [ { "fullName": "Veres S", "firstName": "Szilvia", "lastName": "Veres", "initials": "S", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Institute of Applied Plant Biology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary." } ] } }, { "fullName": "Alshaal T", "firstName": "Tarek", "lastName": "Alshaal", "initials": "T", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Institute of Applied Plant Biology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary." }, { "affiliation": "Department of Food Biotechnology, Albert Kazmer Mosonmagyarovar Faculty, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary." }, { "affiliation": "Soil and Water Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt." } ] } }, { "fullName": "Elhawat N", "firstName": "Nevien", "lastName": "Elhawat", "initials": "N", "authorAffiliationDetailsList": { "authorAffiliation": [ { "affiliation": "Institute of Applied Plant Biology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary." }, { "affiliation": "Department of Food Biotechnology, Albert Kazmer Mosonmagyarovar Faculty, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary." }, { "affiliation": "Faculty of Agriculture (for Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt." } ] } } ] }, "dataLinksTagsList": { "dataLinkstag": [ "altmetrics", "supporting_data" ] }, "journalInfo": { "volume": "17", "journalIssueId": 4112080, "dateOfPublication": "2026 ", "monthOfPublication": 0, "yearOfPublication": 2026, "printPublicationDate": "2026-01-01", "journal": { "title": "Frontiers in plant science", "medlineAbbreviation": "Front Plant Sci", "isoabbreviation": "Front Plant Sci", "nlmid": "101568200", "essn": "1664-462X", "issn": "1664-462X" } }, "pubYear": "2026", "pageInfo": "1827328", "abstractText": "