Overview on Soil Compaction and Sugar Beet Growth

With the advancement of agricultural mechanization,soil compaction has become a serious environmental problem.Soil compaction can increase soil bulk density and firmness,reduce porosity and permeability,and deteriorate soil structure,ultimately inhibit sugar beet growth and reduce both root yield and sugar content.However,few farmers recognize the link between soil compaction and these adverse effects.Soil compaction has a cumulative effect,with significant differences observed in the vertical range of compaction accumulation.The most significant soil compaction occurs in the topsoil of 0-10 cm,and the influence depth can reach 70 cm,but it is small in deep soil,and the inflection point is at a soil depth of 10 cm.The degree of soil compaction is related to soil type,water content,tractor shaft load,tyre type,tyre pressure and operation speed,etc.Therefore,in the production process of sugar beet,it is advisable to avoid high-humidity operations,use low pressure tyres,reduce the number of tractor-units passes over the farmland,and implement agricultural and agronomic measures to minimize soil compaction.These practices will help protect the soil environment and ensure sustainable production of sugar beets.

Gut Bacterial and Lactobacilli Communities of Weaning Piglets in Response to Mannan Oligosaccharide and Sugar Beet Pulp In vitro Fermentation

Microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract （GIT） of piglets during weaning transition can experience a sharp change which could result in growth reduction and diarrhea of weaned piglets. Dietary manipulations can play an important role in attenuating such changes caused by weaning stress. Therefore, ileal and colonic contents of weaned piglets were used as inocula, mannan oligosaccharide （MOS） or sugar beet pulp （SBP） was supplied as single energy sources to investigate effects of MOS or SBP on the shifts of gastro-intestinal microflora and lactobacilli populations. The universal bacteria- and lactobacilli-specific PCR/denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）, cloning and sequencing techniques were used. DGGE profiles of the universal bacteria showed that great changes were found in the position, numbers and intensity of dominant bands after fermentation. The similarity of bacterial community between ileum and colon was increased to 85-97% by MOS or SBP treatment after fermentation from the similarity with 20% before fermentation. MOS treatment significantly increased the bacterial diversity and band number in both ileal and colonic fermentation （P〈0.05）. SBP treatment significantly increased the bacterial diversity and band number in colon （P〈0.05）. It implies that some species were enriched by the addition of MOS or SBP to increase the similarity and diversity of bacterial community in weaned piglets. Five specific bands appearing in MOS or SBP treatment group after fermentation were cloned and sequenced, the changes of species related to Prevotella and Ruminococcus were observed. Two bands related to uncultured bacterium with 98% similarity were detected by MOS or SBP treatment. However, there were no effects on the similarity, diversity index and lactobacilli species revealed by MOS or SBP treatment. These results imply that MOS or SBP could have beneficial effects on the weaning piglets by stablizing microbiota in the GIT microflora.

Identification of Heterodera schachtii on sugar beet in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China

The sugar beet cyst nematode,Heterodera schachtii,is a major parasite of sugar beet which has been recognized and listed as a quarantine nematode in China and more than 20 countries and regions worldwide.A survey for important nematodes was undertaken in the sugar beet planting area of China during 2015-2018,and numerous cysts were collected from sugar beet fields in Xinyuan County,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.The observations of morphological and morphometric characteristics revealed that cysts,vulval cones and second-stage juveniles of the Xinjiang population were in the same range of each other and within those of other reported H.schachtii populations.Molecular analysis of rDNA-ITS,28S-D2/D3 and mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(COI)gene sequences suggested that the Xinjiang population clustered in a branch with those foreign populations,and the sequence similarity was as high as 99.81-100%.Moreover,this result was confirmed by PCR assay with species-specific primer SHF6 and rDNA2 of H.schachtii,and the pathogenicity test confirmed successful Xinjiang population reproduction in both plant hosts.In conclusion,based on morphological and molecular characterization,this study confirmed that the cyst nematode population collected from sugar beet fields in Xinjiang is H.schachtii.As far as we know,this is the first report of H.schachtii on sugar beets in Xinjiang,China.

Effect of Chlorimuron-Ethyl on Biochemical Mechanism in Tolerant Sugar Beet

Effect of chlorimuron-ethyl on biochemical mechanism in tolerant sugar beet was investigated to provide basic data on using the tolerant genotype properly. Tolerant sugar beet was used to analyze its biochemical mechanism under chlorimuron- ethyl stress with frame culture in field and water culture. Glutathione S-transferase （GST） activity of leaves in tolerant sugar beet was remarkably increased as chlorimuron-ethyl was preemergence applicated at 0.5 and 1.5 g a.i. hw1, at the same time glutathione （GSH） content increased 50.0-490.1 p.g g-~. GST activity of sensitive sugar beet decreased 122.6 U mg-~ min-1 compared with tolerant sugar beet and GSH content only increased to 7.4 p.g g-~ at chlorimuron-ethyl 0.5 g a.i. ha-~ in sensitive sugar beet. The higher GST activity and GSH content conjugated chlorimuron-ethyl absorbed in tolerant sugar beet and made it lost activity. Acetolactate synthases （ALS） activity of the tolerant sugar beet increased to 62.5 and 70.6%, respectively in seedling and leaf growth period, at the same time ALS activity of the sensitive variety was decreased to 36.8 and 64.8%, respectively. The rapidly increased GST activity, GSH content, and ALS, the target enzyme activity were the important pathways for enduring chlorimuron-ethyl in tolerant sugar beet.

Review： Sugar beets as a substitute for grain for lactating dairy cattle

Dairy cows are customarily given grains and highly digestible byproduct ingredients as additions to forage to support milk production. In many parts of the world growing seasons are short, and the grain crops that can be grown may not provide adequate yields. Sugar beets, on the other hand are relatively hardy, and dry matter yields surpass the yields of most grain crops. There are however, perceptions that beets may not be suitable as a feed ingredient due to the fact that the storage form of carbohydrate is sugar rather than starch. With little analytical support, sugar has been rejected in many feeding programs with the view that sugar reduces rumen pH, fiber digestion and microbial yield. This review explores available facts revolving around these concerns. Information regarding the feeding of sugar beets is provided and the use of sugar beets as a partial replacement for grain is proposed.

Influence of the Different Level Ammonium on NRA and GSA in Sugar Beet(Vulgaris L.)

Ammonium nitrogen inhibited NR activity in sugar beet,NR activity was lower in endogenous substrate after ammonium nitrogen was used,and the correlation between NR activity and ammonium nitrogen levels was negative.But NR activity raised with the ammonium nitrogen levels raising in exogenous.Ammonium nitrogen prompted GS activity:the correlation between GS activity and ammonium nitrogen was positive,GS activity raised with ammonium nitrogen levels raising,GS activity of roots and leaves had same change trend in sugar beet in the whole growth duration after ammonium nitrogen was used,but GS activity in roots was higher than that in leaves.

Regulation of sucrose synthase activity and sugar yield by nitrogen in sugar beet

The content of sugar is influenced by sucrose synthase （SS） activity in roots. The effects of nitrogen level in the aminonitrate ratio on SS activity of leaves and roots, roots yield and sugar content in sugar beet were studied in the field experiment by nutrient solution culture. The results showed that SS activity in leaves was lower than that in roots. With nitrogen level increasing, SS decomposition activity enhanced, and synthesis activity reduced. SS activity was regulated by different nitrogen forms and the ratio of NO3 and NH4^＋. SS synthesis activity was enhanced as NH4^＋ increasing when NO3 ： NH4^＋≥ 1, and it decreased as increasing NH4^＋ when NO3 ： NH4^＋≤ 1, and it was the highest when NO3 ： NH4^＋=1. SS decomposition activity was enhanced as NO3- increasing. Sucrose content in root was lowed as nitrogen level increasing, but it was enhanced as NH4^＋ increasing in the same nitrogen level. Root and sugar yield were the highest in the medium nitrogen level and NO3 ： NH4^＋=1. The result in field experiment corresponded with that in the nutrient fluid culture. It provides a basis for using reasonably nitrogen fertilizer in sugar beet production.

Biochemical and Morphological Characteristics of Acid-Resistant Regenerants of Sugar Beet （Beta vulgaris L.）

The aim of the paper was to study the metabolite profile and morphological characteristics of sugar beet regenerants exposed to aluminium ions （Al^3＋）. The regenerants were selected basing on selective media with sublethal acidity （pH 3.5）. The thrice-repeated passaging of sugar beet microclones of two genotypes in low pH medium causes certain alterations in the cellular metabolism. The paper demonstrated that peroxidase （POD） and isocitrate lyase （ICL） activity increased in both varieties. At the same time, NADH-dehydrogenase （NADH-DH） activity decreased in hybrid plants. Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase （gl-6-ph-dh） activity increased in mail sterile （MS） hybrid plants, but reduced in Ramonskaya fertile （RF） hybrid plants. Adaptation to reduced pH was accompanied by alterations in the isozyme spectra of POD, 1- and 2-esterase, cytochrome c oxidase and malic enzyme （ME）. The adaptation process of sugar beet regenerants was also accompanied by an increase in protein synthesis. The level of metabolic response to stress very much depended on the initial genotype of the hybrid. In this experiment, aluminium resistant plants were growing rapidly in selective media. They developed leaves with healthy petioles and blades and had strong root systems.

Determination of Effective Degree-Day for Supporting Chemical Control Against Cutworms （Lep. Noctuinae） in the Sugar Beet

The aim of the research was to connect two methods of the chemical control. The first chemical treatments were applied according to the signalling method. The second method was applied according to the phonological criterion i.e., on the basis of the values of effective temperatures sums or heat sums for cutworms. The studies on cutworms infesting sugar beet crops were carried out in the years 2005-2008. The observation performed during the moth flights from May to September included two species, turnip moth （Agrotis segetum Den. ＆ Schiff.） and heart-and-dart moth （A. exclamationis L.）. The dynamics of moth flights was recorded in reference to readings of climatic conditions registered with the field meteorological stations set up near the light traps. Observations on cutworm occurrence during the vegetation season were done every 5-7 days. Moreover, additional studies were conducted under control conditions in the growth chambers at three programmed temperatures （17°C, 20 °C, 24 °C） and relative humidity （50%-70%）. Based on the results the values for the heat sum of 501.1 °C and effective temperatures sum of 230.0 °C were determined for the developmental stages of cutworm. On the base of the results obtained it can be stated that the improved method of short-term forecasting can be an alternative solution in the integrated protection management against pest.

Water Requirements of Sugar Beet Beta vulgaris under Heavy Cracking Clay Soils

Crop coefficients （Kc） of sugar beet were determined for accurate calculation of water requirements （CWR） and better irrigation water management. Three irrigation treatments were used during two seasons to measure actual crop water use （ETc） under no soil stress treatment using gravimetric sampling. In the second season （SS）, the method was modified to target 8 temporal points during crop growth for smooth calculation of ETc under sufficient moisture supply to avoid the distortion that was created by the continuous gravimetric sampling after, before and during each irrigation cycle on the experimental plots. Water was stopped when each targeted sampling point was reached using large plots where intensive sampling continues until the crop reaches severe water stress or permanent wilting point （PWP）. The actual crop water use was extracted from the soil moisture depletion curve which allowed the identification of two clear segments. The first segment indicated crop water use during no water stress while the change of the slope indicated the beginning of the water stress. The reference crop evapotranspiration （ET0） was determined on daily basis using appropriate weather data that coincides with the ETc measurement and consequently the crop Kc were calculated. The results showed that the method used during the SS is easy and provides a better understanding of actual crop water use and better estimation of crop Kc. The calculated 10-day Kc values for sugar beet under heavy cracking clay soil conditions were： 0.46, 0.49, 0.53 and 0.60; for the initial stage： 0.69, 0.78, 0.88 and 0.97; for the development stage： 1.05, 1.11, 1.13, 1.11 and 1.04; for mid-season stage and for late season stage： 0.92, 0.74 and 0.60. Yield and other sugar related parameters were also presented for the two seasons.

Effect of Sugar Beet Top Ensiled with Sugar Cane Bagass in Diet of Lactating Buffaloes

Sugar beet tops including leaves and crown harvested and chopped into 3-6 cm, mixed with sugar cane pulp and sugar cane molasses （about 5% of the total mass） to provide a mixture contained 30-35 percent dry mater. After two months of ensiling, the silage was evaluated and used in the ration of lactating buffaloes. A Latin square experiment in a changeover design, with three periods of time, each with 20 days for adaptation and 10 days for recording data, was conducted in which 15 multiparous lactating buffloes were used in three similar groups, each with five animals. The prepared silage was included in the diet of lactating buffaloes where a control diet （A） was compared with treatment diets contained 25% （B） and 50% （C） silage （DM basis） respectively. Milk yield was recorded, sampled and analysed for fat, protein, solid not-fat and total solids-content. The maximum daily rough milk yield per animal was obtained on diet C while minimum on diet A （P 〈 0.05）. Similar trends were observed for 4% fat corrected milk, and 3.5% fat corrected milk that were significantly different between the treatments （P 〈 0.05）. The percentage of crude fat and daily fat yield per animal were significantly （P 〈 0.05） higher in treatment C comparing to A and B. An increasingly trend of milk and fat yield was observed when the animals received silage contained diets but statistically it was significant only for the diets contained 50% silage. In addition, the fat percentage was significantly （P 〈 0.05） increased when the buffaloes received diet containing 50% silage. The highest （P 〈 0.05） amount of protein and total solid yield obtained, when the animals received high （50%） silage diet.

Effects of Various Pulsed Electric Field Conditions on Cell Disintegration and Mass Transfer of Sugar Beet

Pulsed electric field is an innovative method for non-thermal food processing. The effects of pulsed electric field on cell disintegration and mass transfer in sugar beet were studied. Sugar beet slices were treated by various Field strengths （0.5-6 kV cm^-1）, capacity of capacitors （0.5, 8 and 32 μF） and pulse numbers （1-100 pulses）. The cell disintegration index and energy input for each treated sample was evaluated. The results showed that the cell membrane of PEF （Pulsed Electric Field） treated samples using 2 kV cm^-1, 8 μF after 20 pulses, and 3 kV cm1, 8 μF after 10 pulses were rapidly disintegrated in less than 1 min. Most important parameters during cell permeabilization were the total energy input followed by field strength. Energy efficiency index was defined as cell disintegration index per energy input unit. The maximum efficiency index was achieved using 2 kV cm^-1, 8 μF after 5 pulses. Comparison between PEF pretreatment and thermal method showed that large amount of sugar may be extracted after PEF pretreatment using field strength of 2 Kv cm^-1, 8μF in less than 10 min at ambient temperature. In.addition, the consumed energy for thermal treatment was approximately 20 to 50 times more than PEF pretreatment. Optimizing the field conditions in PEF treatment is an important factor to achieve high amount of sugar extraction from sugar beet.

Research on Glutamate Synthase Activity in Sugar Beet(Beta Vulgaris L.)under Different Levels of Nitrogen

The experiment of glutamate synthase activity (GOGATA) in both leaf blades and roots under different nitrogen levels was carried out at Northeast Agricultural University in 1993. The result showed that GOGATA rose rapidly to reach its peak from seedling stage to foliage rapid growth stage, and then declined gradually. GOGATA was enhanced with increasing nitrogen levels and had significant positive correlation with nitrogen levels at the middle stage of growth GOGATA in leaf blades was the strongest compared with crowns, petioles and roots, thus, it could represent the highest enzyme activity of the whole plant. GOGATA had quadratic curvilinear correlation with root yield and sugar production. GOGATA in leaf blades had significant positive correlation with α-NH 2-N at the foliage rapid growth stage while GOGATA in roots existed this relation at the latter stage of growth. GOGATA in roots had significant negative correlation with sugar content at harvest.

Impact of Different Tillage Methods on Silty Loam Luvisol Water Content in Sugar Beet(Beta vulgaris L.)Crop

The regulation of water regime in the soil is the most important task in semi-humid climate with not even precipitation distribution conditions. Reduced or minimum tillage may change soil hydrological properties. The objectives of this study were to investigate the possibilities to manage soil water regime during the whole soil tillage system for sugar beet, which are especially sensitive for water deficit or abundance. Five field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Station of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture (Aleksandras Stulginskis University since 2011) (54°52'N, 23°49'E) during 1995-2010. The soil of the experiments was silty loam Luvisol. In this study we highlighted the reduction of primary soil tillage from deep annual soil ploughing to shallow ploughing, deep and shallow cultivation and no till, comparison of soil ploughing and subsoiling, presowing ploughed or unploughed soil tillage with different cultivators—S-tine, complex, rotary and others, soil compressing with Cambridge and spur rollers before and after sugar beet sowing investigations. According to the results of experiments, reduction of primary soil tillage conserved soil water. The highest storage of soil water in spring was observed in non-reversibly tilled or not tilled soil. Subsoiling led higher water infiltration rate, and top layer of subsoiled soil consisted less moisture content than ploughed. Sugar beet seedbed moisture mostly depended on soil tillage intensity and depth. Presowing rotary tilling was the top tillage method in the case of water preservation in ploughed or unploughed soil. Soil compressing with rollers mostly had negative or low influence on light loam Luvisol moisture content. Rolling with Cambridge roller effected on more rapid water transport from deeper to top sugar beet seedbed layers and higher evaporation rate.

Research on Glutamate Dehydrogenase Activity in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L) under Different Nitrogen Levels

The experiment of Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH) activity in various plant parts under different nitrogen levels in frame culture during the whole period of growth was carried out on campus of Northeast Agricltural University in 1993. The result showed that GDH activity in leaf blades under four nitrogen applied levels rose rapidly to the acme from the seedling to foliage rapid growth stage, then diminished rapidly to the lower level at the latter stage of foliage rapid growth. This level was kept to harvest. GDH activity in roots at each growth stage under all nitrogen levels exhibited little disparity and did not show ostensible regularity of changes. GDH activity in leaf blades was stimulated with nitrogen, however, it reduced with nitrogen fertilizer applying further. GDH activity in leaf blades was the biggest compared with crowns, petioles and roots, which suggested that it could represent the highest enzyme activityof the whole plant.

Sugar beet yield and industrial sugar contents improved by potassium fertilization under scarce and adequate moisture conditions

Sugar beet（Beta vulgaris L.） is an industrial crop, grown worldwide for sugar production. In Pakistan, sugar is mostly extracted from sugarcane, soil and environmental conditions are equally favorable for sugar beet cultivation. Beet sugar contents are higher than sugarcane sugar contents, which can be further increased by potassium（K） fertilization. Total K concentration is higher in Pakistani soils developed from mica minerals, but it does not represent plant available K for sustainable plant growth. A pot experiment was conducted in the wire-house of Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences at University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. K treatments were the following： no K（K_0）, K application at 148 kg ha^（–1）（K_1） and 296 kg ha^（–1）（K_2）. Irrigation levels were used as water sufficient at 60% water holding capacity and water deficient at 40% water holding capacity. The growth, yield and beet quality data were analyzed statistically using LSD. The results revealed that increase in the level of K fertilization at water sufficient level significantly increased plant growth, beet yield and industrial beet sugar content. The response of K fertilization under water deficient condition was also similar, however overall sugar production was less than that in water sufficient conditions. It is concluded from this study that K application could be used not only to enhance plant growth and beet yield but also enhance beet sugar content both under water-deficient as well as water-sufficient conditions.

Response Surface Optimization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sugar Beet Leaves into Fermentable Sugars for Bioethanol Production

Sugar beet leaves are the major crop waste from sugar beet production, while the unused leaves contain a high number of sugars and polysaccharides. The effects of different enzyme products (cellulase, Cellic CTec2;xylanase, Cellic HTec2;and pectinase, Pectinex Ultra SPL) were determined during high-solids enzymatic hydrolysis of sugar beet leaves at 10% total solids (TS) content. Response surface methodology was used to study the effects of enzyme loadings during the hydrolysis of sugar beet leaves for producing fermentable sugars. It was found that both cellulases and pectinases are important enzymes for the hydrolysis of sugar beet leaves. Enzyme loading and reaction time were important factors. Based on the amount of sugars released, a maximum sugar conversion of 82% was achieved after 72 h of hydrolysis using 30 filter paper unit (FPU) g-1 glucan for cellulase and 150 polygalacturonase unit (PGU) g-1 polygalacturonic acid for pectinase, or 37 FPU g-1 glucan for cellulase and 100 PGU g-1 polygalacturonic acid for pectinase. The corresponding sugar yield and sugar concentration were 0.35 g·g-1 TS, and 35 g·l-1, respectively. Sugar conversion ranged from 59% - 70%, 68% - 80%, and 74% - 82% after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of hydrolysis depending on the design conditions.

Post-meiotic apozygotic combinatory process in sugar beet (<i>Beta vulgaris</i>L.)

The effect of colchicine on phenotypic classes ratio of the enzyme locus controlling alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1) in sugar beet agamospermous progenies was analysed. The obtained data are indicative of the thing that colchicine causes polytenization of homological chromosome regions carrying marker locus Adh1 alleles. Theoretical calculation of the formation of egg cells frequencies and those of further development of cells entering embryogenesis without fertilization, also the diminution calculation of excessive chromosome regions carrying marker locus alleles have been made. The coincidence of theoretical and experimental ratios of phenotypic classes indicates the existence of post-meiotic apozygotic combinatory process in plants.

Competitive Relationships and Yield Advantage of Intercropping Faba Bean with Sugar Beet under Bio-Organic Additives and Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates

A field experiment was conducted at El-Serw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta Governorate, Egypt during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons to reduce mineral N inputs of sugar beet with increased land use efficiency and profitability under intercropping conditions. Seven treatments included five treatments (90 kg nitrogen “N” + 30 m3 farm yard manure “FYM”/fad, 80 kg N +30 m3 FYM/fad, 70 kg N +30 m3 FYM/fad and 400 g of Cerealine + 30 m3 FYM/fad for intercropping faba bean cultivar Spanish with sugar beet cultivar Gloria) and two treatments (90 and 20 kg N/fad for solid culture of sugar beet and faba bean, respectively, as recommended mineral N fertilizer rate) were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Solid culture of sugar beet with the application of recommended rate (90 kg N/fad) gave the highest top, root and sugar yields/fad, as well as the percentage of purity compared with the other treatments in both seasons. Intercropping faba bean with sugar beet plants with application of 90 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad gave the highest number of leaves/plant, leaf area/plant, root length, root diameter and root weight/plant followed by intercropped sugar beet plants that fertilized with 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad compared with the other treatments in both seasons. On the other hand, intercropped sugar beet that received 400 g of Cerealine + 30 m3 FYM/fad had the highest percentages of T.S.S. and sucrose followed by 70 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad compared with the other treatments in both seasons. Solid culture of faba bean with the application of 20 kg N/fad gave the highest plant height, number of seeds/pod and seed yield/fad, meanwhile the highest number of branches/plant and pod length were achieved by intercropping faba bean with sugar beet with application of 90 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad followed by intercropped faba bean plants that fertilized with 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad compared with the other treatments in both seasons. However, intercropped faba bean plants that fertilized with 70 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad gave the highest number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed index and seed yield per plant compared with the other treatments in both seasons. Land equivalent ratio (LER), land equivalent coefficient (LEC) and relative crowding coefficient (RCC) were high by intercropping faba bean with sugar beet with the application of 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad indicating yield advantage was achieved. The value of aggressivity (Agg) of sugar beet was negative for all combinations indicating that sugar beet is dominated component in the present study. Intercropping faba bean with sugar beet with the application of 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad achieved higher total income and monetary advantage index (MAI) than the other treatments. Growing sugar beet plants in both sides of beds (1.2 m width) with one faba bean row in middle of sugar beet beds with the application of 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad decreased mineral N fertilizer rate by 10.00% of the recommended sugar beet mineral N fertilizer rate, as well as increased land usage and profitability for Egyptian farmers compared with sugar beet solid culture.

Effect of Cellulose Microfibers from Sugar Beet Pulp By-product on the Reinforcement of HDPE Composites Prepared by Twin‐screw Extrusion and Injection Molding

The aims of this work turn towards the valorization of the underutilized Raw Sugar Beet Pulp by-product to produce white Cellulose Microfibers(CMFs),and its potential effect as a reinforcement for the development of High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE)composites.Pure CMFs were first obtained by subjecting raw SBP to alkali and bleaching treatments.Several characterization techniques were performed to confirm the successful removal of the amorphous compounds from the surface of individual fibers,including SEM,XRD,TGA,and FT-IR analysis.Various CMF loadings(5–10 wt%)were incorporated as bio-fillers into HDPE polymer to evaluate their reinforcing ability in comparison to raw and alkali-treated SBP using twin-screw extrusion followed by injection molding.Styrene–(Ethylene–Butene)–Styrene Three-Block Co-Polymer Grafted with Maleic Anhydride was used as a compatibilizer to improve the interfacial adhesion between fibers and the matrix.Thermal,mechanical,and rheological properties of the produced composite samples were investigated.It was found that the Young’s modulus were gradually increased with increasing of fibers loadings,with a maximum increase of 30%and 26%observed for composite containing 10 wt%of CMFs and raw SBP,respectively,over neat HDPE.While,the use of coupling agent enhances the ductile behavior of the composites.It was also found that all fiber improves the hardness and toughness behavior of all reinforced composites as well as the complex modulus particularly at 10 wt%.The thermal stability slightly increases with the addition of fibers.This study demonstrates a new route for the valorization of SBP by-products.These fibers can be considered as a valuable bio-fillers candidate for the development of composite materials with enhanced properties.