Effect of Fall and Spring Applied Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Sugarbeets

Carter, J.N. (1984) Effect of Fall and Spring Applied Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Sugarbeets. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists. 22(3&4):252-267.

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Abstract

The time and amount of nitrogen (N) uptake affects
both root and extractable sucrose yield of sugarbeets
(Beta Vulgaris L.). Either excessive or late N fertilizer
applications and subsequent plant N uptake from applied or
residual N sources cause an increasing proportion of the
photosynthate to be used for top growth at the expense of
both root dry matter and sucrose accumulation (6, 7).
Adequate but not excessive amounts of soil and fertilizer
N available early in the growing season are needed for
adequate top and root growth, while maintaining sufficiently
high sucrose percentage and purity for profitable
sucrose extraction and yield.

For maximum N efficiency and economy, N fertilizer
should be applied either near the time of planting or
sidedressed early in the season. This reduces the time
between N application and N uptake which allows less opportunity
for N to be leached out of the root zone,
denitrified, or incorporated into soil microorganisms and
their by-products.

Fall bedding and fertilization of fields to be used
for sugarbeets is a common practice throughout the
intermountain area of the western United States. Although
this practice increases the time between N application and
N uptake, it has the following advantages: 1) possible
earlier planting, 2) improved moisture level in the
seedbed at planting, 3) less irrigation water is required
for germination, 4) more even distribution of labor requirement
during the fall and spring months, and 5) more
even distribution of fertilizer demand.

The objective of this study was to evaluate several
rates and times (fall and spring) of N fertilizer application
as it affects the location of NO3-N within the soil
profile, N uptake, seasonal growth rates, dry matter production,
sucrose concentration and accumulation, and the
partitioning of the photosynthate.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0561
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Sugarbeet Soil > Amendments > Fertilizer Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:52
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2017 21:09
Item ID:	444
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/444