Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization of Sugarbeets

Westermann, D.T. and Carter, J.N. (1975) Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization of Sugarbeets. pp. 125-129. In: Proc. 26th Pac. NW Fert. Conf. USA-UT-Salt Lake City, 1975/07/15-17.

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Abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization for sugarbeet production has been
practiced in the United States for the past 30 to 40 years. During this period
numerous studies have been conducted and summarized (5). Since nitrogen
plays a dominant role in the production of high quality roots and maximum sucrose
yields, its supply must be accurately controlled. Recent methods developed
for predicting N fertilizer needs for sugarbeets in Washington and
Colorado (4, 7) are based on the amount of NO₃-N in the root zone. However,
mineralizable soil N can be a major source of N for plant growth
and varies widely in Idaho from one area to another (2, 3). It must be considered
if a general procedure for estimating N fertilizer needs is used
over a wide area with many soil types and management conditions.

Phosphorus is also important in the nutrition of the sugarbeet. Low P
levels depress root yields, whereas high levels generally maintain maximum
root yields without lowering root quality. Methods have been developed for
estimating P fertilizer needs based on the NaHCO₃-extractable soil P
level (6). Soil test data from England and many U. S. areas suggest that
the available soil P levels in many soils are sufficient for maximum root
and sucrose production without additional P fertilization. Soil test
correlation data establishing P fertilization guidelines for sugarbeets has
been limited in Idaho until recently.

We conducted 30 field experiments in 1971 and 1972 dealing with N, and
two field experiments in 1972 and 1973 dealing with the P fertilization
needs of sugarbeets. Since much of this information is published elsewhere,
this report summarizes only the soil test results as related to root and
sucrose yields.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
NWISRL Publication Number:	0345
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Sugarbeet Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:56
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2017 18:52
Item ID:	999
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/999