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Abstract
Fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) was grown on two New Zealand soils (Inceptisols) to which five rates of sodium chloride (NaCl) were added (0, 295, 590,885, and 1180 kg/ha). Yields of fresh roots and fresh sugar trends increased linearly with increasing rates of NaCl in the Templeton soil but the highest yield occurred at 295 kg NaCl/ha in theWakanui soil and decreased at higher rates. In both soils, the sugar concentration was unaffected. The difference between soils was attributed to differences in soil chloride (CI) status and CI inputs from irrigation water (Templeton: 5 kg CI/ha; Wakanui: 33 kg Cl/ ha). Cl inputs from rainfall during the cropping period were similar at the two sites (Templeton: 37 kg Cl/ha; Wakanui 41 kg Cl/ha). Overall, yield responses observed from NaCI applications were mainly a result of Cl. In both soils, NaCl applications increased Cl concentrations linearly, but did not affect sodium or potassium concentrations in tops or roots.