Abstract
Effect of transplanting and plant arrangement on the accumulation of leaf area index and dry matter yields in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Amazon) were investigated during 1981/82 season at Lincoln College, Canterbury, New Zealand. The effect of transplanting seedlings at different growth stages (Cotyledon, 2-leaf, 4- leal) was also examined. Leaf area index was higher in the transplanted beet(2- or 4- leaf stage than that in the seed-sown or cotyledon transplants especially early in the season. Transplanted beet increased total dry matter over seed-sown beet by increasing mean crop growth rate which was about 18% greater in the former than in the latter. Maximum crop growth rate in the transplanted beet was 20.7 g m-2 dol, achieved during January-February harvest interval. In contrast, maximum crop growth rate in the seed-sown beet reached to 17.2 g m-2 d-l which was achieved about four weeks later than in the transplanted beet. Plants established by transplanting produced significantly higher mean root growth rate (22%) and thus a greater root dry matter yield compared with the seed-sown plants. Plant arrangement
