Nutritional Evaluation of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Genotypes as Fodder

Nutritional parameters of six sugar beet genotypes were evaluated for suitability as forage in rabi season. The leaf lamina, leaf petiole and root portion were separately evaluated for quality traits. The genotype Calixta accumulated highest DM content in all parts of sugar beet. The DM and OM contents were higher in leaf lamina than leaf petiole and storage roots. The genotype Shubhra recorded highest (P<0.05) CP content (22.6%) in leaf lamina. Among plant parts, CP, ADF, NDF and total ash content were high in leaf lamina compared to leaf petiole and root portion. Cauvery and SZ-35 showed highest (P<0.05) sucrose content in roots. Total sucrose content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were higher (P<0.05) in roots followed by leaf petiole and leaf lamina. All genotypes had tendency to accumulate nitrate-N in root portion as compared to leaf petiole and leaf lamina. Magnolia recorded the highest nitrate-N content in root. De-sugared cossette and byproduct of sugar industry showed higher (P<0.05) IVDMD and lower nitrate-N content than root portion.